Trip to the black forest - 1

The first rays of dawn crept through the palace windows, casting soft golden light on Prince Aryan's chamber. The Prince was already awake, sitting by the window, his eyes lost in thought. It seemed like he had been waiting for something—or someone. His mind raced with the weight of the upcoming journey, and his fingers drummed the edge of the table impatiently. He had prepared himself physically for the task, but the uncertainty ahead gnawed at him.

The sound of footsteps approached, breaking his thoughts. The door creaked open, and General Feng stepped inside, his expression serious but composed.

"Good morning, Your Highness," Feng greeted, bowing respectfully. "I trust everything is in order for our departure?"

Aryan glanced up at him and nodded. "Ah, Feng, at least you're punctual. Unlike some others," he said, his tone a mixture of amusement and impatience. "Have all the preparations been completed? The journey won't be easy."

Feng's eyes gleamed with unwavering confidence. "Yes, Your Highness. I've secured the necessary weapons and supplies. We'll need them for the dangers we might face along the way. I've also arranged provisions for the journey. Everything is ready."

Prince Aryan's face softened with approval. "Well done, as always, Feng. You never fail me."

Despite his words, Aryan's demeanour still held a sense of anticipation, as if he were waiting for something—or someone. Feng noticed this and gave him a curious look. "What's on your mind, Your Highness?" he asked, his brow furrowing slightly. "Is there something else troubling you?"

Aryan let out a quiet sigh. "It's not that, Feng. I am ready for the journey, but the path ahead is uncertain. I don't know exactly where we are going, and the one who holds that knowledge has yet to arrive."

Feng raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Who are you waiting for? Is there someone else joining us?"

Before Aryan could answer, the door opened again, and a figure entered. It was Aryan's special envoy, tall and imposing with an aura of mystery surrounding him. He bowed low before the Prince, then looked up with a slightly apologetic expression.

"Your Highness," the envoy began, "I apologize for my delay. I had to seek counsel from my master regarding the journey. The knowledge he provided was essential."

Aryan's face softened at the sight of the envoy, but his voice still carried a trace of irritation. "You should have been here earlier. We have no time to waste. But I will forgive you this once. Come, speak. What did your master reveal?"

The envoy looked at General Feng briefly before speaking in a low, serious tone. "The sage shared with me the darkest secrets of the Black Forest—the place where we must venture. The forest is no ordinary place. It is filled with traps, illusions, and creatures that defy natural laws. No one has ever returned from it alive."

The weight of those words hit Aryan like a cold breeze. He had expected danger, but the gravity of the situation was sinking in. His expression hardened, his resolve unshaken. "I've been prepared for danger. Tell me, what else did your master say?"

The envoy's voice grew quieter as if the very mention of the forest brought a sense of dread. "The sage warned that the Black Forest is cursed. Anyone who enters it is never seen again unless they succeed in their mission. The forest is filled with magical barriers, and only those with extraordinary strength and wit can hope to survive. Without the proper knowledge and preparation, there is no escape."

Aryan's face tightened, but his eyes gleamed with determination. "I have no choice. I must awaken my full powers. If I don't, everything we've fought for will be lost. We have to succeed, no matter the cost."

The envoy nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the Prince's words. "Your Highness, I must warn you again: this journey may prove fatal. Even the bravest of warriors have failed to return from the Black Forest. It is not a place for the faint-hearted."

Aryan stood up from his seat and walked to the window, his gaze turning toward the horizon. The weight of his destiny pressed heavily on him, but he knew there was no turning back now. "I have no other path before me. I must do this—for my Future 

General Feng, standing quietly behind him, spoke up. "What must we do to succeed, envoy? What is the key to entering the Black Forest?"

The envoy glanced at both of them, his expression growing even more serious. "The Black Forest is hidden from sight. It is cloaked by powerful magic, created by the Lord Mahadev himself. It cannot be seen by mortal eyes, but there is a way to make it visible. A stone located on a mountain in the northern part of the Dragon Realm holds the key. This stone has a serpent's image carved upon it, and it is the key to unlocking the forest's entrance."

Aryan and Feng exchanged looks of confusion. "How can a stone reveal the way to an invisible forest?" Aryan asked, perplexed.

The envoy met his gaze. "The serpent is a symbol of the lord Mahadev's power. If we find this stone and sprinkle our blood upon it, the path to the forest will become visible. But the forest is surrounded by multiple layers of magical defences. We must pass through these barriers one by one, and only then will we be able to reach the centre—the cave where the Dragon Jewel lies."

Feng's brow furrowed. "And what awaits us within these layers? What kinds of dangers will we face?"

The envoy's eyes darkened as he continued. "The Black Forest is filled with enchanted creatures, traps, and illusions. It is said that the deeper you go, the more difficult it becomes to discern what is real and what is an illusion. We must be cautious every step of the way. And once we reach the cave, we must retrieve the Dragon Jewel's power source. Only then can we hope to return alive."

Prince Aryan listened attentively, his mind racing with the possibilities. "This journey will test us in ways we cannot yet imagine," he said quietly. "But we will not fail."

The envoy nodded, then added, "Before we attempt to enter the forest, we must first go to the base of the mountain. There, we can find a rare herb that will enhance our strength. The potion made from it will increase our power many times over, allowing us to endure the trials within the Black Forest. However, the effects of the potion last only four to five days, so we must complete our mission within that time frame."

Aryan looked at Feng, and the two shared a silent understanding. There was no turning back. Their mission was set, and the time to act was now.

The three of them made their way out of the palace, where the royal courtyard awaited. General Feng had prepared two strong horses for the journey, their saddles packed with supplies. Aryan mounted one with ease, his expression resolute. Feng, ever the warrior, took the other.

The envoy, however, was not bound by the need for a mount. His kind possessed the ability to fly, and with a single motion, he spread his wings wide, his form rising into the air. He would lead the way, guiding them through the unknown.

As the trio rode out of the kingdom and into the wilderness, the sense of danger hung thick in the air. The Black Forest awaited them, its secrets buried in shadows, its threats unseen. Aryan felt the weight of his decision settle on his shoulders, but his resolve was unshakeable. He was no longer just a prince—he was a man on a mission, and nothing would stop him.

The journey ahead would be filled with peril, but Aryan was ready to face it head-on. The path was treacherous, the stakes high, but the Prince of the Dragon Realm would not falter. Not now. Not ever.