MOONLIGHT: The Curse Breaker

-Najara- "Are you sure about this, Ada?" I asked my friend who was busy reading the map. We had been wandering around this forest for a while now, and we still hadn't reached our destination. Lendor is a forbidden forest located outside the kingdom of Heraum. There are three forests continuously guarded by the most powerful mages of Heraum. Viadarona is the largest forest, located at the farthest end of Heraum. Various creatures such as fairies, elves, werewolves, and mermaids reside here. This is where the queen of Heraum, Queen Adronia Von Olinn, originated. She is worshipped for her kindness, wisdom, and beauty as the princess of Viadarona. She has long silver hair often braided and adorned with various flowers as ornaments. Her silver eyes, red lips perfect nose and her perfect personality are the reasons why the brave king of Heraum fell in love with her, along with her power to foresee the future using her dream. Etril is the smallest of the three forests. Various types of plants are gathered here that can be used for medicine, as well as poisonous plants. It is located not far from Viadarona forest, surrounded by towering mountains and enveloped by the clean river of Tierra. And of course, the forbidden forest, Lendor. This is the most dangerous forest, which is why it is forbidden. Unlike Viadarona and Etril, no humans live here, and there are no medicinal plants. It is filled with towering trees and shrouded in thick fog. This forest is filled with various kinds of monsters, but it's not the monsters that are considered the real danger here. Instead, it's the successive disappearances of people who dared to enter the forest. It is also called the Forest of Immortality. Here lies the Tree of Eternal Life, a gigantic tree made of pure gold, said to bear fruits that grant eternal life and unmatched power. That's why many people want to enter and find this tree. Unfortunately, none of those who entered ever came out again. There's a possibility that we might end up like those who went in before us. Our journey began three days ago, and until now, we still haven't reached the heart of the forest. We're just going around in circles, as if it's playing with us, deliberately leading us away from the Tree of Eternal Life. Our water and food are running out, and I know they won't last another day. "Are you still okay, Jara?" my friend asked, panting. She's currently sitting on a large tree root, wiping the hem of her dress, which was once red but is now hardly recognizable due to dirt. Even her black boots are worn out at the heels from all the walking. "We can still go back, Ada, let's not continue this," I gasped, struggling to catch my breath. Like her, I can't even tell the color of my dress anymore. What was once blue is now mud-colored with a few tears at the hem. My brown boots are also worn out at the heels like hers. I'm hungry too because we've been walking for days. "We've been in this forest for days, and now you want to go back?" she replied, sounding irritated. That's the problem, we've been walking for days, but we still haven't seen a single golden tree. Even monsters. "What else can we do? We'll just die out of hunger," I argued, but Ada seemed determined to continue walking. I took a deep breath before following her lead. I only came with Ada, because I can't let her go inside the forest alone. If I could sell even just a small branch of the tree, I could fulfill my dream of traveling across Arteria. Unlike Ada, who wants to get the fruit of the tree itself. Being the daughter of a baron, obtaining the coveted fruit could elevate her status in society and will make her powerful. And I know she's willing to do anything to get what she wants, even if it means risking both our lives. After hours of walking, I felt the air around us getting heavier, and I sensed an intense coldness despite the sweat still flowing down my forehead. It was dark, with only the moonlight guiding us through the forest. I also felt the hunger creeping in, making me feel even more weaker and more afraid. "Stop." I felt a chill run down my spine as I heard a girl's voice and rustling sound nearby. "W-what’s happe--" Ada gently held my hand and squeezed it, signaling me to stay quiet. My gaze remained fixed on our intertwined hands, afraid to see something else when I looked around. We heard the rustling again, this time coming from behind me. It lasted for a few minutes before stopping. Ada took a deep breath, releasing my hand. We looked around and at each other, and I knew it was time to go back to Heraum. Each step felt lighter as we walked back, and every faint rustle or snapped twig underfoot sent shivers down my spine. Now I realize what we've gotten into. This forest is dangerous, which is why five high-ranking mages are guarding it. Whatever the reason for the disappearances of those who entered this forest, I don't want to find out. It's better to return to our homes. "Where are you going? I thought you were going to take the fruit of immortality?" a mischievous yet annoyed voice of a girl suddenly echoed around us. "Turn around, humans, and play with me," it added. My hands trembled, and my eyes couldn't stay still. There was a person or creature behind us wanting to play. Whatever game it wanted, I was sure it wouldn't be good. I couldn't move from my spot, and neither could Ada, who was in front of me, her whole body shaking. "Hmm? You're both scared, I can feel it," the sound of footsteps approached me. My heart pounded harder as I sensed its terrifying presence. "Oh merciful goddess of the moon, please keep us away from the harm this creature brings," I whispered a prayer. "Nah, the moon goddess won't listen to your prayers, honey." I screamed as I felt a cold breeze on my neck, as if it spoke right next to me. My body turned toward the source of the voice, and a few steps away from me stood a monster or a human wearing a brown hooded cloak; its face was covered by the hood, and the cloak itself reached its knees. I could see brown boots and black pants underneath. It was taller than me and exuded a chilling aura. I slowly backed away until I stumbled over a tree root. I glanced back to check on my friend, but she was gone, nowhere to be found. "Ada?" I whispered to myself. She was gone, and I didn't know where she went or what this creature did to her. "She ran away the moment you started screaming" it answered as if it could read my thoughts. Or maybe it really could. "And no, I didn't do anything," it added, raising its hands surrounded by what looked like white bandages. "Where's my friend?" I mustered the courage to speak. I just wanted to know where my friend was. "I don't know, maybe she--uh, scared? that's why she ran away" it shrugged in response. If she left, why didn't she take me with her? Why did she leave me behind? I didn't want to think the worst of her because she's still my friend. It couldn't be considered betrayal, right? 'She'll come back, Jara, she'll come back' I convinced myself. But I couldn't hold back any longer, and I let my own tears streamed down my face from the intense fear and sadness. I heard it take a deep breath before walking towards me. "Let's go, honey" it stood in front of me, its palm extended towards me. "I can help you," its voice softened, but the chill remained. "What do you mean? Help me? You tried to kill us! Me!" I cried out. This wasn't part of my plans. I just wanted to help a friend. If I knew it could lead to my death and the ruin of a friendship, I wouldn't have dared to try. "Ugh! Humans are so stupid, yeah?" it asked in annoyance, lowering its previously extended hand, it sits in front of me, both of its elbows propped on both of its knees, and even though I can't see it, it's face is on its hand, and its eyes are looking at me. "First, I had no intention of killing you. Second, it's not my fault that your so-called friend is a coward." I couldn't respond because what it said was true. I wasn't sure if it wanted to kill us, and it wasn't entirely its fault that my friend left me. But I couldn't blame myself for being scared of this creature in front of me. "Will you stay here alone and due from starvation? Not to mention the dangerous monsters lurking around the forest Or....you will let me help you?" it asked again. "How can I be sure you won't hurt me?" I asked. It sighed deeply as if it was running out of patience. "Honestly, human, I'm running out of patience" it said. "Do you want me to help you or not?" it asked one last time. My palm trembled as I placed it on top of its hand, i braced myself for the wort part. But instead it carefully held my hand and helped me stand. Its hand was warm and soft, devoid of any calluses. I didn't notice its other hand already holding onto my waist, so my entire body was pressed against it. "Your dress is so dirty, darling," it started, looking me up and down. "Did you come from a noble family or what?" "Commoner," I replied tersely. It nodded before letting go of my hand and started walking away. My forehead creased because this wasn't the way back to Heraum. "Where are you going? This isn't the way back!" I said. "Ah! Sorry, honey, I almost forgot," it replied cheerfully, turning to face me as it removed its hood. I wasn't sure if this was the same creature I was fearing just moments ago because from what I remember, there were no monsters as beautiful as her. She had long black hair tied into a ponytail, deep black eyes, a long pointed nose, and pinkish lips wearing a childlike smile. All I could say was that this girl in front of me was pretty. Not the feminine type of pretty, but the boyish type. 'totally my type' "Are you done fantasizing me?" I snapped back to reality as she spoke again. My cheeks heated up as I avoided looking at her. Who would have thought that the creature I thought was a monster was this beautiful? "I know, right? People who died here think I'm some kind of hideous monster or some sort of... I don't know." I fell silent as I remembered the people who went missing in this forest, and it seemed like our suspicion that they were dead was correct based on what this person was saying. I swallowed hard as she stared at me. Her gaze was too intense, making me want to hide somewhere far away from her. Who knows what she's thinking right now? Maybe planning on how to kill me. "You're doing it again, honey. I told you I won't kill you," she said, another reason being her ability to read others' thoughts. My thoughts. "Stop reading my mind, please," I replied in a firm tone. She couldn't just keep reading my thoughts, especially since I didn't permit her to do so. She just nodded in response and extended her palm again. I looked at it curiously before placing my hand on top of hers. She smiled at me before speaking. "Okay, now I want you to close your eyes and think of a place," I stared at her in confusion, the smile fading from her lips as she noticed I didn't understand what she was saying. "I mean, think of your place? Uhh... House? Ho--." "Yes, okay, I get it," I interrupted her before closing my eyes. She chuckled softly, causing my heart to skip a beat. It sounds so handsome. This feeling was new, and I hated it, especially since it was towards someone I didn't even know. "Now, don't forget to say thank you," my forehead creased again even though I didn't open my eyes. "Say 'thank you, Louise Pierre' when you get home." I felt a strong wind around me and the gradual release of Louise's grip on me. When I opened my eyes, the moon greeted me. I wasn't standing on the ground anymore, but rather floating as if the moon was pulling me closer. It felt like I was being embraced by every gust of wind against my body, its light seemingly focused only on me. All fatigue, hunger, and fear disappeared upon hearing the beautiful voice of a woman. Using a strange language I had never heard before, my eyes closed automatically as the voice faded away.