Chapter 3: The Forbidden Forest
475 Words
The Endless Stream lingered in Azul’s thoughts long after he returned to the palace.
Its rushing waters…
The strange feeling that someone—or something—had been watching him…
He couldn’t shake it.
That night, sleep refused to come.
He lay on his bed staring at the ceiling as moonlight crept through the windows. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the river again.
Then came the dream.
A pair of glowing blue eyes emerged from complete darkness.
“Come…”
The voice was neither male nor female.
It echoed through his mind like ripples across still water.
“Find me…”
Azul shot upright, gasping for breath.
His room was empty.
The moon still hung outside.
But the voice…
It had felt real.
⸻
At dawn, the palace came alive with activity.
Young warriors gathered in the royal courtyard, dressed in light armor and carrying supplies for their annual survival assessment.
The test was simple.
Enter the Forbidden Forest.
Return before sunset.
Failing meant repeating the year’s training.
Succeeding earned a warrior recognition throughout the kingdom.
Azul adjusted the leather strap across his shoulder as the captain addressed the participants.
“The forest is not your friend,” the captain warned.
“It rewards wisdom and punishes arrogance.”
“No one is to wander away from the assigned route.”
His sharp gaze swept across the group.
“And whatever happens… do not approach the Endless Stream.”
The warning made Azul’s heart skip.
The same stream from his dream.
Beside him, Bashan smirked.
“Scared already?”
Azul ignored him.
He had grown used to Bashan’s taunts.
What unsettled him wasn’t Bashan.
It was the strange pull he felt toward the forbidden waters.
⸻
The massive wooden gates opened with a deep groan.
One by one, the young warriors stepped into the forest.
Towering trees blocked much of the morning sunlight.
Birds called from unseen branches while insects buzzed beneath the thick leaves.
At first, everything went according to plan.
The participants collected herbs, crossed shallow streams, and navigated rocky paths exactly as they had been taught.
Then the wind changed.
A cold breeze swept through the forest.
The birds fell silent.
Even the insects stopped chirping.
Azul frowned.
“Did you hear that?”
“Hear what?” one of the boys asked.
“…Nothing.”
Exactly.
Nothing.
The silence was unnatural.
Then—
A distant roar echoed through the trees.
The ground trembled beneath their feet.
Several students froze.
“What was that?”
Before anyone could answer, another roar erupted—this time much closer.
Branches shook violently.
Leaves rained down from above.
The captain’s voice rang out.
“Everyone! Stay together!”
But it was already too late.
Something enormous crashed through the trees.
And in an instant…
The survival test became a fight for survival.
- Writer
