Trip to the black forest - 2

The journey had been long and difficult. Prince Veer and his companions had travelled far from the majestic palace of the Dragon Kingdom, their path now far removed from the lush lands they once knew. The unforgiving terrain of the northern wilderness had exhausted their horses. Ahead loomed the mountain, its jagged peaks concealed by a veil of mist, standing as a silent witness to the dangers that lay beyond.

The horses, though strong and steadfast, were now exhausted, their legs trembling beneath them. Prince Veer looked at the sky, the sun beginning to dip behind the mountains, casting long shadows over the land. He turned to the messenger, whose wings fluttered gently as he awaited instructions.

"Messenger," Prince Veer said, his voice firm, "go ahead and scout. Find us a river, a pond, anything. We need rest. The horses are tired, and so are we."

With a sharp nod, the messenger flapped his wings and soared into the air, scanning the terrain with the precision of a hawk. Moments later, he returned with the good news.

"There is a pond not far from here, my lord," the messenger reported, his voice laced with urgency. "It is a tranquil place. We can rest there for the night."

Prince Veer gave a short nod. "Lead the way."

They followed the messenger through the dense forest, the trees towering above them, their branches heavy with the weight of countless seasons. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. As they neared the pond, the sound of rushing water greeted them, a welcome relief to their parched throats. The pond was serene, its surface a perfect mirror reflecting the fading hues of twilight.

General Feng, dismounting with a sigh of relief, led the horses to the water's edge. The animals eagerly drank, their thirst-quenching as the group settled beneath a nearby tree. Prince Veer, though physically tired, could not shake the unease that gnawed at him. He knew the journey ahead would be perilous. They had only just begun their ascent to the Dragon's Peak, a place where even the bravest warriors feared to tread.

As the group rested, the messenger took a moment to speak. "Tomorrow, we must prepare for the trials ahead. The Dragon's Peak is not a place for the faint of heart. It is said that only those who have proven their strength may pass through the trials of the mountain."

Prince Veer's gaze hardened. "I am not one to turn away from a challenge. We've come too far to fail now."

The messenger's eyes glinted with admiration. "Your resolve is strong, my prince. But there is something we must retrieve before we continue. An herb. It holds great power—enough to enhance our strength and protect us from the dangers of the mountain."

General Feng, ever vigilant, spoke up. "And where do we find this herb?"

The messenger paused, his wings fluttering softly. "In the heart of the jungle, deep within. It is said that this herb is guarded by an ancient creature, a snowman born of ice and snow. It will attack anyone who dares to take the herb."

Prince Veer's jaw tightened. "We will face it. I'll do whatever it takes to retrieve the herb."

The group moved cautiously, the path narrowing as they entered the dense jungle. The trees grew taller here, their trunks twisted and gnarled, their branches reaching out like skeletal hands. The air was thick with humidity, and the ground beneath their feet was soft and spongy, as if the jungle itself was alive, watching their every step.

After what seemed like hours, the messenger's sharp eyes spotted a faint glow through the trees. "There," he said, pointing toward the clearing. "That is the herb we seek."

The herb was beautiful, its petals shimmering with an ethereal glow. It stood in the centre of a small clearing, surrounded by thick vines. But before they could step forward, a low growl rumbled from behind them.

A figure emerged from the shadows—tall and imposing, with a body made of ice and snow. Its eyes glowed a deep, menacing blue. The snowman, its frosty breath visible in the air, was a creature of nightmares. It moved slowly at first, but its presence was enough to send a chill down their spines.

General Feng drew his sword, ready for battle. "It's here," he muttered, his grip tightening on the hilt. "We cannot take the herb without defeating it."

Prince Veer turned to the messenger. "How do we defeat it?"

The messenger's voice was grave. "This creature is formidable. But we must fight it together. I will aid you, but the herb must be taken quickly. If it senses weakness, it will strike with deadly force."

Without another word, the three of them moved into position. General Feng took the front, his blade gleaming in the dim light of the jungle, while the messenger prepared to take flight. Prince Veer, his hand steady, moved toward the herb, determined to fulfil his duty.

The snowman let out a bone-chilling roar and lunged at them. The air grew colder with every step it took. General Feng met the creature's charge head-on, his sword clashing against the snowman's icy fist. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, and Prince Veer could feel the coldness seep into his bones.

The messenger darted into the air, circling the creature with agility and distracting it with swift strikes. The snowman's eyes locked onto the messenger, its massive hands reaching out to swat him down. But the messenger was too quick, weaving through the air with practised ease.

Prince Veer seized the opportunity. With a swift motion, he grabbed the herb and yanked it from the ground. As he did, the snowman let out a furious howl, its icy claws reaching toward him.

"Run!" the messenger shouted.

The three of them sprinted back toward the jungle's edge, the snowman hot on their heels. Its massive form thundered behind them, but General Feng and the messenger held it off with relentless determination. The ground trembled beneath their feet as the battle continued, but finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the snowman collapsed into a heap of frozen rubble.

Panting and covered in sweat, the three of them took a moment to catch their breath. The herb, now safely secured in Prince Veer's pouch, pulsed with a faint glow, a symbol of the power they had just obtained.

"We must continue," Prince Veer said, his voice steady despite the exhaustion that weighed heavily on his shoulders.

The journey up the mountain was no easier. The path grew steeper, and the air thinner as they ascended. The sun had long since disappeared, and the darkness of night crept in, cloaking the world in shadows.

"We need to rest," Prince Veer said after a time, his voice weary. "The mountain is too dangerous to continue through the night."

General Feng and the messenger agreed. They found a safe spot beneath a large overhang, away from the wind and the biting cold. The messenger set up a protective barrier, a shield of magic that would guard them from the deadly creatures that roamed the northern peaks.

As they sat down to rest, General Feng rummaged through his pack, pulling out their provisions. "We've come a long way," he said. "It's time to eat and regain our strength. Tomorrow, we face the final trials."

Prince Veer nodded, his mind already turning to the challenges ahead. "And once we reach the Dragon's Peak, we will face whatever comes. We cannot fail."

After they ate, Prince Veer turned to the messenger. "When do we prepare the herb?"

The messenger glanced at the glowing plant. "We will make the potion tomorrow, at dawn. We need its strength to pass the final trials."

The group settled down for the night, their bodies weary but their spirits resolute. The winds howled through the mountains, while the distant cries of unseen creatures echoed in the air. However, within their magical barrier, they felt safe—for now