Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Within The Cursed Forest

“I thought I knew him,” said Elyse with a sad smile. “But in the end, he’s the one playing me. I can’t believe I ever fall for that satyr.”

“Doesn’t sound like it ends amicably,” said Azureath.

“Mostly my fault, though I have a feeling he’s doing so deliberately. He insulted my favorite brother, Henri, and ridiculed my status as a princess. The latter, I’m okay with since I agree with him. The former, I don’t. Despite my animosity with my father, Henri’s someone who’s friendly enough to not remind me of the burden I’ll eventually carry just because I’m the eldest. By the gods, I sure wish father realizes what I really want and give Lisle the crown. She’s already his favorite, so why not?”

“He must have seen something different in your sister. One that is not destined for the throne.”

“If that is the case, that is the most illogical decision I’ve ever heard. Unless?”

Azureath could only acknowledge her pondering as she kept her pace towards the castle, as directed by Elyse on her back.

It wasn’t really a castle, in a traditional sense. Rather, it was a building carved into a giant tree, one that’s far too big to be viable. However, given how many other plants were giant-sized, it wouldn’t be out of place. The tree looked ancient; even if no one could sense anything nature-related, anyone could assume that the tree was hundreds, or maybe even thousands, of years old. It had seen countless kings and queens of the Bracken Woods satyrs ruling over their people, seen their ups and downs, and witnessed battles so secretive only those living within the Bracken Woods would know about it.

And now, it witnessed yet another battle, this time within the castle grounds.

As Elyse and Azureath ran to the tree castle, a fight already happened between the guard and the invaders. The two came during the height of a conflict, which made Elyse’s attempted kidnapping that desperate of a measure. Elyse clearly underestimated the tension between the two kingdoms.

The sight of satyrs killing each other with druid magic and weapons made Elyse realized how selfish she was. She may not like bearing the burden of the throne, but she was still a member of the royal house. This caused her to confront the fighters and kicked one of the satyrs that wore a different armor from the one she recognized.

“Oh, my,” said Azureath as the satyrs turned their attentions to her. “Her emotions got the better of her.”

Elyse realized what the dragon meant. If she wasn’t so taken by rage, she could have just used the chaos to get to the throne room. Now that she used her forceful kick that sent one flying out of the doors, everyone’s attention turned to her, allies and foes alike.

“It’s the princess!” exclaimed one of the Bracken Woods satyrs. “Princess Elyse is back!”

It increased the morale of the guards, but so were the determination of the Val’seris satyrs.

“It’s her!” said one of the enemies. “The royal enemy is out! We can take her!”

“Not in a million years, Val’seris!” exclaimed Elyse. Her hooves glowed green with aura as she made her stance. One of the soldiers charged at her; it was a mistake. This time, her kick was concentrated to one point of the wooden armor. The concentrated hoof kick shattered the armor, but it did not send the satyr flying. Instead, he coughed blood and fell to the side, unconscious.

“W-what?” said one of the soldiers who witnessed that. “What the hell is that kick?”

One of the allied soldiers, clearly knew what Elyse was capable of, had something more pressing to tell Elyse. She walked up the satyr princess and said, “Your highness! Get to the king and make sure he’s safe! We’ll keep them at bay!”

“Got it! Let’s go, Azureath!”

“You go on ahead,” said Azureath calmly. “While I am aware that your castle is big enough for a dragon, you need an impenetrable wall to keep anyone from surprising you from behind. I will be that wall.”

“Azureath….”

“Do not worry, dear satyr. I will show them what it means to be the Daughter of the Eternal Frost, or at least…convince myself that it is truly what I am and not an old human’s speculations. Go on…and try to find out about Hans and Keeshar. I do not wish to see their lives forfeited in this unknown, magical forest.”

Though Elyse had no way of knowing where the werewolf and the Raptor ended up after the trees dragged them away from the city, the satyr still had high hopes that they were alright.

So, she nodded and said, “Be careful, dragon. Druidic magic can nullify mana and penetrate a dragon’s scale if used properly. You will be vulnerable.”

Azureath chuckled. “My body has endured the harshness of the Ocean Between. A little powered kick won’t down me that easily.”

Elyse smiled. “Then give ‘em hell.”

The satyr, trusting Azureath, continued running up the stairs. The azure dragon returned to the satyrs and said, “Now, little satyrs. Can your druidic magic get through my ice?”

***

Keeshar rubbed his feather-covered head, still disoriented after being dragged across the forest rather violently. After he assessed his surroundings, he sheathed his weapon, which he still had on his hands, then proceeded to search for Hans.

He did not need to search long. The werewolf ended up near the base of the tree, similarly disoriented, but also injured. Clearly, he hit something while being dragged away. From Keeshar’s assessment, his injuries would not incapacitate him except maybe his head injury, which may leave him disoriented and out of sorts, at least for a moment. He just hoped they did not need to fend of wild animals, because it was clear that the forest was foreign for them both.

“Can you stand up?” asked Keeshar. Hans weakly nodded and slowly stand up, though with a bit of struggling. The werewolf then slowly returned to his senses, before turning to the Raptor.

“We’re lucky the trees didn’t kill us,” said Hans. “What is this bloody forest’s deal?”

“I don’t think the trees are the ones to blame,” suggested Keeshar. “Though whoever’s controlling the trees clearly made sure we are isolated from the rest of them.”

“So, we’re lost.” Hans sighed. “At this point, I really wish we had awakened or magical potential, but I suppose we can’t have Zenithia for all of us, now, can we?”

Hans referred to the fact that Adeline, also a Ternorian with no magic potential, had external support from Zenithia, which gave her a certain degree of magic with her light sword. It did not mean he was envious of her. He was just thinking that maybe the dragon should just share her powers, if it meant survival.

“Ah, well.” Hans shook his head. “Can’t have everything. Now…got any idea where north is?”

“How about…forward?”

“Not the best idea out there, but at least there’s one.”

So, they traversed the dark forest, noting how far they were from their previous position. The trees were old and eerie looking, especially when the lack of light made them dark-colored. Thorns impeded their paths, with tips sharp enough to rip Hans’ clothes with one giving him a cut. Keeshar would be more vulnerable due to wearing almost nothing but a loincloth and tribal gear, but his scales gave him a degree of protection. Hans assumed that it might be the reason why they did not wear a lot of clothing, with him also remembering that some Raptor children back in his village not wearing anything at all.

The place was so different from the forest behind Hans’ and Lilac’s home, which was not as overgrown. It was pleasant both at day and at night, mostly because there weren’t any wild animals bigger than a fox. He and his sister were usually the biggest ‘animal’ around. He started reminiscing about Lilac’s first hunt, which ended with quite an amusing sight of his sister.

As he reminisced, he soon became aware of the changing environment of the forest, along with the eerie feeling of something very horrifying was happening in that forest. Suddenly, Hans saw glimpses of a ritual that flashed in his eyes, disorienting and surprising him. The images were people bathing in blood, a werewolf in chains as if a captive, then a black-furred wolf as big as Azureath with blue eyes staring at Hans.

The succession of images caused Hans to gasp, with Keeshar quickly going to his aid. The Raptor, with his familiarity of lupine expressions, realized that Hans was distressed, further proven by his rapid breathing and pant.

“Hans, pull yourself together!” said Keeshar. “Did you eat something you shouldn’t? We don’t know this forest enough to—”

“I’m no stranger to forest exploration, Kee,” interrupted Hans after he caught his breath. “It’s this forest. It gave me…flashes of images.”

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“Images? I didn’t see anything.”

Hans slowly stood on his digitigrade legs. “Is this forest trying to tell me something?” thought Hans to himself. “That Lycan in chains…who was he?”

They pressed on, hoping that they chose the right direction based on their instincts. They had no way to determine the passage of time. With each step, they both became more and more worried that the forest might be bigger than they thought and they might end up lost. If they could just have a magicite compass, it might make things easier.

Then there was the mystery of Hans’ recurring flashes of images. Each time, specific events happening in the forest flashed in his vision. They always ended with the same giant wolf with blue eyes. The third time it happened, the giant wolf’s vision stayed for a little longer, which enabled Hans to hear it say, “Follow.”

“Follow? Follow what?” asked Hans. Just then, Keeshar noticed something in the forest. His sharp eyes could determine that it was a wolf, but it was see-through, just like a ghost. It moved its head as if it were trying to tell them to follow it.

“Should we?” asked Keeshar.

“I can’t see any other choice.”

The Raptor agreed. They couldn’t wander the forest forever, so they might as well trust it. Considering how it looked similar to the wolf in Hans’ visions, the werewolf felt he could trust it.

So, they followed it through the forest, finding out that the wolf did give them the right direction. There were almost no thorns to walk through, and there was a dirt path that made travelling easier. The direction the spectral wolf took also led them to an illuminated area, which relieved them somewhat.

Unfortunately, that relief was short-lived, especially after they got out of the forest and into a clearing. A clearing that was clearly less of a forest and more of a nightmarish, twisted version of it.

And in the middle of the clearing was a werewolf, naked and strung up by golden chains as thin as a locket chain. He was bound with all his limbs stretched out in a spreadeagle position, all wrapped in golden chains that seemed to glow.

However, the most striking appearance that made Hans sympathizing with the werewolf was his lack of furs. Hans had never met a Lycan with a furless werewolf form. Usually that would indicate that they were sick, though it was more of the case of thinned fur, not outright baldness. Due to the lack of fur, it was hard for Hans to determine if the werewolf was actually a wolf or not, or whether it was alive or just a desiccated corpse due to his emaciated looks.

As the shock of seeing the werewolf settled in, Hans noticed the discrepancy of his presence. He soon pointed this out.

“But aren’t Lycans Ternorian?” said Hans. “You mean, there are travelers before us?”

Then to his surprise, he spoke. The strung up and bound werewolf’s voice was raspy like a parched throat. Clearly, he had not had any water for a while, and they way he was tied up ensured that he couldn’t move his limbs.

“No,” he said. “You…are the first….”

“First?”

“To return…as I had always...hoped. This time…I will right…my wrongs….”

“Maybe it’s better if we get you down first. And maybe some water.”

Hans and Keeshar proceeded to do so. The golden chains were too tightly wrapped around the werewolf’s limbs, but the points they were attached on were loose. A little pulling strength was all it needed to get it off. Hans slowly lowered the emaciated werewolf as Keeshar pulled out his gourd and gave him a drink. The moment his lips touched the water, his eyes widened. He quickly drank most of the water to the point Keeshar was worried that he might choke himself.

The werewolf could not finish the water, but he was satisfied regardless.

“Been waiting for someone to do that,” said the still raspy, but clearer, voice. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart, friend.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I know you have a lot of questions, especially since you’re confused of my presence. Where were you from again?”

“Ternor. Surely, you came from there, too.”

“The name, no. But the place, yes.” The werewolf sighed. “It has been that long, huh? Ah, no matter. I deserved it, anyway.”

“Deserved what?”

“A story for another time. Now, I can tell you two aren’t here by choice. Those satyrs do not dare let anyone wander this deep into the Cursed Forest without the risk of going insane. I can give you the direction out of this forest, but I want something in return.”

“A long as it doesn’t involve you tricking us, we’re alright,” said Hans.

“Trick you? Now, why would I do that?”

“You don’t get strung up like a doll without a very good reason, Lycan.”

“I am a prisoner for the crime of creating the race bearing my name. While you might think it’s unjustified, it’s…very justified, and I have regretted it. The process of becoming a Fenrian did involve losing your previous identity and involving dark magic. The result is all around you. Normally, anyone will be repulsed by the forest’s condition, especially if they had high sensitivity in druidic magic.”

“Wait a second. The race bearing your name?”

“It got a nice ring to it, too. My name is Fenrir, and I called my people Fenrians.”

“We go by Lycans. Short for Lycanthrope.”

“At least there’s something official. In any case, I don’t think you are here to talk about me. From the look of it, you two were involved in a fight.”

“Your Cursed Forest snatched us and put us here,” said Keeshar. “If the trees being mobile can be considered cursed.”

“Uh…not exactly, uh…what were you called again?”

“Raptor.”

“Raptor. The curse is something worse than trees snatching you. You two don’t seem to be affected, though. I’m sure I can figure it out after we straighten things out.” Fenrir then chuckled. “Ah. To see a fellow Fenrian again….”

“Anyway, what do you want in return of guiding us through the forest.”

“Simple. I simply need you as a host.”

“Come again?”

“Your body, friend. I need your body.”

Hans stepped back, surprised and confused as to why Fenrir, the chain-wrapped werewolf he just met, wanted his body. Was it because of his emaciated, furless body?

“If by ‘body’ you mean to carry you out, I have no problem with that,” said Hans, pretending to be oblivious of what Fenrir was actually asking.

“What? No!” snapped Fenrir. He suddenly became distressed upon hearing Hans’ offer. “Don’t do that! The curse will destroy the satyr kingdom!”

“Again, that curse already happened,” clarified Keeshar.

“No, the curse does not involve wicked willows! Ahh, by Thorusk, why are you two so ignorant?! Don’t you two feel anything at all?! You know what? Fine! Take my body out there and see for yourself!”

“Wow. He’s a petty wolf, ain’t he?” remarked Hans. “Okay, okay, we get it. You’re dangerous, hence your earlier state. On a more serious note…absolutely not!”

“So, you want to be my companions until the end times? I’m fine with that. I have been alone for so many years I lost count. I might be cursed with immortality, but you two don’t. I might end up putting your body on some boulders and talk with you like a crazy old wolf after you two died. You sure that’s how you want to end up?”

Fenrir’s calm, but threatening, statement unnerved Hans and Keeshar. He could be lying, but he seemed to be serious about it. The eerie glow that surrounded the forest, and the feeling of dread did not escape them. Even if they could not sense mana, the general atmosphere was enough to tell them that something wasn’t right in that forest.

Hans, unsure, pulled Keeshar aside and said, “What do you think?”

“I still have a long road ahead of me,” said Keeshar.

“But there is a chance he might be lying. We might end up unleashing something dangerous.”

“By warning us about it?”

“I know he reacted negatively when I offered to carry him, but I am not going to lend my body to him!”

“There is a chance he might leave you once we got to the end of the forest. In our cultures, spirits with unfinished businesses are tethered to their body, unable to go to the afterlife. That is why we burn our dead to ensure the tether is gone. Now, of course, we can’t burn a living being who claimed to be immortal, but his spirit can’t go far. I’m sure he’ll leave you once we reach a certain point.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

“Force him to leave.”

“If only it’s as easy as that.” Hans sighed. “I’m going to hold you accountable if he has nefarious plans.”

“Don’t worry.” Keeshar pulled out his weapon. “He wouldn’t dare.”

The sight of the macuahuitl still intimidated Hans. The Raptor’s weapon was both for show and for killing. It’s ornate carvings and sharp obsidian saw blades could make those with a faint heart to be terrified by the implications of the weapon’s capability.

Agreeing with Keeshar that Fenrir’s reaction was true, Hans prepared himself for unpleasantness. He then turned to Fenrir, who was supporting himself on a nearby boulder. Clearly, his body was still too weak.

“Alright,” said Hans. “What will it do to me?”

“Nothing. You won’t have any control on your body and all your senses will be nullified. You can still see through your eyes, but you will feel like floating in the middle of a deep water. It’s pretty calming.”

“You did this before?”

“Why would I suggest doing this if this is my first time? I transferred my soul to a wolf once. It’s weird to run on all fours, but it helps give me insight on the…black magic I invented later. Well, enough talk. Ready, friend?”

Hans nodded, though deep down he was still unsure. Fenrir then closed his eyes and muttered something intelligible, even with the Gift of Tongues. Then several things happened.

As Fenrir described it, Hans lost control of his body and felt like he was falling from a great height. He wanted to scream, but he couldn’t; his maws were no longer under his control. The most surreal and disorienting part of the experience was the mismatch of what he saw and what he felt. His body felt like he was perpetually falling, but his vision remained the same.

Or so he thought before Fenrir started moving Hans’ head and checked on Hans’ body. Then, Hans could hear Fenrir gasp before there was a wispy fog clouding his vision. It was the vision that accompanied a pureblood transformation. Without the feeling of his body being contorted without pain, it felt strange for Hans.

Then, he realized, just as Keeshar looked on in awe, that his vision became higher and higher until it was twice his size. Fenrir looked up and howled.

“What did you bloody do?” asked Hans, unsure if Fenrir could hear him.

“It’s…magnificent,” said Fenrir with an awe in his voice. “I can’t believe they perfected it. This is what I have always envisioned before I messed up. So, Tyr did perfect it during their exile.”

What Hans couldn’t properly see, but Keeshar could, was that when Fenrir transformed into Hans’ feral form, his wolf body grew thrice as big to the point he was dragon-sized, roughly the size of Azureath, but slightly smaller due to the lack of wings.

“By the god!” exclaimed Keeshar. “Fenrir, is that what Hans really looked like all this time?”

“No, it’s a little embellishment on my part,” said Fenrir. “Can carry you on the back of a normal-sized wolf, right? Now, hop on. Oh, and by the way, your story does not apply to me. My body is not a tether, but it is the source of the curse. My spirit is harmless.”

Keeshar climbed on the giant, blue-eyed wolf as he said, “You mean, you were actually planning to take Hans’ body for yourself all this time?”

“Hey, I did not bloody sign up for this!” exclaimed Hans.

“You will get your body back later, Hans. For now, trust little old Fenrir to guide you through the forest.”

“At least tell me what you did to my body!”

Before Hans could get an answer, Fenrir darted off. Hans was surprised by how fast his body was moving. Even in his feral form, which now he knew was the form Fenrir used, he could run as fast and as forceful. It felt so different, mostly because he rarely used the feral form for anything, considering it redundant with his human and werewolf form.

Keeshar’s reaction, however, and Fenrir’s comment made him want to see what he did. Annoyed, but helpless, he could only look on passively as Fenrir dashed through the forest, silently hoping he really knew where to go.

Hans would really curse himself and Fenrir if it was all a trick.