Episode 10 : Journey Through the Mysterious Forest

Chapter 18: Journey Through the Mysterious Forest

After the magic circle transported Wira and his companions to a dense forest they didn't recognize, an eerie atmosphere immediately enveloped them. This forest was unlike any other—the tall trees emitted a soft glow, and strange sounds could be heard from the distance.

"Is this part of the human world?" Cakrawala asked, looking around warily.

"I'm not sure," Niswara replied. "That magic circle... it didn't just move us physically; it seems to have brought us to another dimension."

Wira gripped his sword tightly. The glowing hourglass symbol on his blade was their only source of adequate light. "We have to stick together. This forest is no ordinary place, and I'm sure something is watching us."

Suddenly, heavy footsteps were heard from the right. They immediately readied their weapons. Cakrawala drew his bow and nocked an arrow.

"Who's there?" Wira shouted loudly.

From behind the trees, a tall figure in a black robe emerged. Its face was hidden by a hood, revealing only a pair of glowing red eyes. The figure stopped and raised a hand, signaling them to halt.

"Stop!" its voice echoed, like thunder in the night. "You should not be here."

Wira stepped forward. "We have no choice. Grandmaster Kalgi sacrificed himself to save us. If you know a way out of here, tell us!"

The hooded figure laughed softly. "Grandmaster Kalgi... His sacrifice was not in vain. But if you wish to continue, you must pass the trials of this forest."

"Trials?" Niswara asked, becoming suspicious.

"Every soul that enters this forest must face their greatest fears. Only those who are brave and pure will make it out alive," the figure said. "I am merely the guardian. My name is Rdhevi. But make no mistake, I am not your enemy."

"Rdhevi?" Wira repeated. "What do you guard?"

The woman lowered her hood, revealing a graceful yet authoritative face. "I am the guardian of the Fifth Artifact. But the path to the artifact is not easy. Before that, you must return to where Grandmaster Kalgi is."

"Grandmaster Kalgi?" Cakrawala asked in shock. "What do you mean? We saw him destroyed by Varashka!"

Rdhevi smiled faintly. "Grandmaster Kalgi is not fully dead. His soul is trapped in the Between Space. If you do not save him, you will never be able to stop Varashka."

A silence fell over them. Wira clenched his fists. "Then guide us. We will save Grandmaster Kalgi, no matter what."

"Very well," Rdhevi said. "But before that, you must pass through this forest and face your deepest fears. Only then will you gain enough strength to open the Between Space."

They all exchanged uncertain glances, but they knew there was no other way. They had to continue their journey, no matter how hard the trial would be.

Rdhevi stepped forward, raising her hand. "The trial begins now."

Suddenly, the forest changed. The air became heavy, and their vision blurred. Each of them began to see different illusions—their deepest fears appearing before them as if they were real.

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Chapter 18 (Continued): Trials of Fear in the Mysterious Forest

Rdhevi disappeared, leaving Wira and his companions now separated. The forest turned into a labyrinth, and each of them was trapped in an illusion forcing them to face their deepest fears.

1. Wira: Fear of Failure

Wira found himself standing in the middle of a battlefield. In front of him, all his companions—Niswara, Cakrawala, and the others—lay lifeless. His sword was drenched in blood, and voices echoed in his mind.

"This is all your fault, Wira. You failed to protect them."

Wira's hands trembled. "No! I will not let this happen. This is not real!" he shouted, but the illusion did not fade.

Suddenly, the figure of Grandmaster Kalgi appeared before him, looking at him with disappointed eyes. "You are weak, Wira. You are not worthy of holding this sword."

Wira knelt down. "I am not weak! I will protect them, no matter what!"

As he said this, the battlefield vanished, and Grandmaster Kalgi's soft voice echoed in his ears. "Your fear is your greatest enemy. Remember that, Wira."

2. Niswara: Fear of Betrayal

Niswara walked among the trees, which seemed to grow even more oppressive. Before her, a figure of Wira appeared, his back turned to her.

"Wira!" Niswara called, but Wira didn't turn around. Instead, he spoke to someone in the distance.

"Why are you still with Niswara? She is nothing but a burden," Wira's voice sounded cold.

Niswara's heart sank. She stepped forward, but the figure of Wira walked away. "No! I don't believe this. Wira would never betray me!"

But another voice echoed behind her. "Then why do you always doubt? Do you really believe he would choose you?"

Niswara closed her eyes. "I believe in Wira. And I believe in myself."

Suddenly, the figure faded away, and she was back in the forest. Rdhevi's voice echoed softly, "Believe in those who believe in you, Niswara."

3. Cakrawala: Fear of Loss

Cakrawala found himself in his hometown. The houses were burning, and cries of people could be heard everywhere. He ran to find his family but couldn't find anyone.

"Father! Mother! Where are you?!" he cried in panic.

From behind the smoke, Varashka's figure appeared, laughing cruelly. "You're too weak to protect them, Cakrawala. Everything is lost because of you."

Cakrawala gripped his bow tightly, but his hands trembled. He saw the image of his family calling him from a distance.

"No! I won't lose you!" Cakrawala shot an arrow at Varashka's figure, and it vanished with the smoke. The village returned to normal, and Rdhevi's gentle voice echoed, "Your strength lies in the love you have for those you protect. Do not forget that."

4. Niswari: Fear of Loneliness

Niswari found herself alone in the darkness. There was no sound, no light—only emptiness. She tried calling her companions' names, but no one answered.

"No… I don't want to be alone. Don't leave me!" she screamed, but only the echo of her voice returned.

From the darkness, the figure of her mother appeared, who had left her when she was young. "Loneliness is your fate, Niswari. You will only bring destruction to those around you."

Niswari covered her ears. "No! I'm not like that!"

A small light appeared in her hand—a symbol of hope. She clenched it tightly, and gradually, the darkness faded away. Rdhevi whispered, "Hope will always guide you, Niswari."

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Back to the Forest

One by one, they managed to overcome their fears and regrouped. They all appeared exhausted, but their eyes burned with renewed determination.

Rdhevi appeared before them. "You have proven yourselves. Now, you are ready for the next part of your journey."

Wira looked at Rdhevi with resolve. "What must we do to save Grandmaster Kalgi?"

Rdhevi raised her hand, creating another magic circle in the air. "Follow my lead. But remember, the hardest trials still await."

With that, they moved forward, toward the destiny that awaited them.