Chapter Three
1187 Words
The Forest's Secrets
The air changed as soon as they entered the woodland.
The deep smell of moist wood and moss made it heavier.
With their twisted branches extending like skeleton fingers, the tall trees appeared to be alive.
Adrian's spine tingled with cold. It was the feeling of being watched, not simply the temperature.
Selena moved forward, her stance stiff, her strides purposeful.
Her face had unsettling shadows from the faint light coming through the canopy.
Chloe remained near Adrian, her fingers firmly gripping his arm.
Whispering, "This place feels...wrong," Chloe said.
There was a hint of panic in her voice, which was hardly audible.
"It’s not wrong," Selena said without turning around. It's quite old.
You have no idea how long this forest has been here. It is aware of who enters and exits.
Adrian looked about nervously. "Are aware? What does that signify?
Selena came to a sudden halt and looked at them.
She had keen hazel eyes that seemed to shine in the low light.
"There is life in this jungle. It has something to do with the world you are about to go into.
It will put you to the test if you're not careful.
"Test us?" With a quivering voice, Chloe inquired.
Selena's eyes grew a little softer. "It doesn't excuse ignorance, but it's not malevolent.
Don't stray and stay with me."
The road narrowed and grew increasingly perilous as they continued.
The dense underbrush tugged at their clothing, and roots protruded like traps.
It grew darker as they descended farther, as if the woodland were snatching up the last of the light.
Only the distant cry of an owl or the rustling of leaves sometimes broke the stifling calm.
The sensation that they were being followed persisted in Adrian's mind.
Subtle motions just beyond of his field of sight were detected by his senses, which had been more acute than usual since the attack.
Too quickly to be identified, shadows darted between the trees.
He yelled, "Selena," in a forceful yet hushed voice. "We’re not alone."
Although Selena continued to walk, her hand went to her blade's hilt. "I know."
Chloe tightened her hold on Adrian's arm.
"You mean you know what? Shouldn't we take action?
"No," Selena said. "They will not assault, but they are observing.
Not in this place. Not quite yet.
"They?" Adrian inquired, growing increasingly irritated.
"Who are they?"
Selena stopped and looked at him. "There are guards in the forest.
They're not buddies, but they're also not foes.
Their purpose is to guarantee that only deserving individuals may pass.
Adrian started to reply, but was cut off by a strong blast of wind.
As though they were alive, the trees surrounding them moaned and creaked in response to an invisible power.
Selena's body was tight as her eyes darted about.
"What’s happening?" Chloe spoke a barely discernible murmur.
"The forest is deciding," was Selena's enigmatic response.
The earth shook under them before Adrian could inquire what she meant.
He shivered as a loud, resonant growl reverberated through the trees.
The dark spots that had been lingering on the periphery of his vision started to solidify into massive, wolf-like beings with bright eyes.
They moved slowly and deliberately around the three of them.
With a choked moan, Chloe pressed herself against Adrian.
With her sword drawn and her stance composed but poised, Selena took a step forward
"They won’t harm us unless we give them a reason."
Adrian's legs seemed stuck in place, despite his instincts telling him to run.
Larger than the others, one of the monsters moved forward.
Its eyes were a rich amber, and its fur was jet black.
It lowered its enormous head and sniffed Adrian's surroundings.
"What do they want?" Adrian's voice was tight with anxiety as he asked.
Selena took a moment to respond. Instead, her demeanor remained unwavering as she looked directly into the creature's eyes.
"They want to see if you’re worthy."
"Worthy of what?" Chloe insisted.
"Of surviving," answered Selena plainly.
With its eyes fixed on Adrian's, the black wolf let out a low growl.
Adrian moved forward mindlessly, looking it in the eye.
There was a primitive stirring inside him, an unsaid understanding between beast and man.
The wolf gave a piercing yelp after c*****g its head slightly.
The other animals took a step back and disappeared again into the darkness.
Selena released a breath she had been suppressing. "You've been accepted.
For the time being."
"Accepted me for what?" Adrian inquired, his annoyance exploding.
"What is all of this?"
Sheathing her weapon, Selena resumed her steps. "You’ll understand soon."
Adrian turned to face Chloe, who appeared to be as shaken as he was.
"Are you okay?"
She gave a shaky nod. "I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this."
There was an unsaid tension between the three of them as they ventured farther into the forest after their experience with the wolves.
The trees became closer together, and the route became steeper.
With the burden of the voyage bearing down on them, hours went by in quiet.
Selena halted suddenly as they ascended a rough slope.
She gestured toward a clearing that was illuminated by the moon's silvery rays.
A huge stone archway loomed in the middle, its surface adorned with elaborate carvings that gave off a subtle glimmer.
"What is that?" With a hint of amazement in his voice, Adrian inquired.
When Selena said, "The gateway to Wolf’s Crest," It is safeguarded by age-old mysticism.
Passing through is only possible for people having the lineage.
A peculiar mixture of exhilaration and terror whirled inside Adrian as he gazed at the archway.
"And what happens if I can’t?"
Selena had a serious look on her face. "Then this is where your journey ends."
With a shaky but resolute voice, Chloe took a step forward. "He will succeed. I'm sure he will.
Selena nodded curtly at her. "Let’s hope you’re right."
With a racing heart, Adrian walked toward the archway. The air around him was buzzing with electricity as he approached, and the carvings started to light brighter.
He paused, looking back at Selena and Chloe. Chloe nodded encouragingly at him, but Selena's face was inscrutable.
Adrian inhaled deeply before passing under the archway. Nothing occurred for a second. Then the world appeared to change as a dazzling light surrounded him.
He had visions of a vast kingdom, a stone throne, and a group of wolves howling at the moon. He heard voices in his head, faint yet strong.
Adrian found himself on the opposite side of the archway as the light dimmed. Beyond, the woodland was different, glowing in a way that seemed unearthly.
The air was electric, full of vitality. Behind him, Selena and Chloe entered, Chloe's countenance showing relief.
Selena remarked, "Welcome to Wolf’s Crest," in a gentler tone than previously.
"This is where your destiny begins."
Adrian turned to face the world, feeling the impact of what she had said.
He had no idea what the future held, but he was convinced that there was no going back now.
⸺THE END⸺
- Writer
