Valkyrie 102

Chapter 4

Var led me away from the battlefield, deeper into the forest. With every step, less sunlight managed to reach the earthy floor. The crunch of the leaves grew louder and the shadows longer, all adding to the sense of ominousness.

The old man pulled the hood of his cape over his head, reducing himself to just a voice. “Go deeper into the forest, deeper, until you are sure you’re lost. And then keep going. You’ll be tested by the Keeper of Illusions. If you pass your test, prepare to be marked for life.”

“Marked... Like, a Wind Child mark? I’m only eighteen. I thought that was far too young to earn markings?” I asked, trying to locate Var. His cape camouflaged him so well, he blended in with the texture of the rough bark and the different colours of leaves.

“Then stay here for another hundred years and wait until you’re old enough.”

I picked at the fabric of my shirt, hesitant to do what he said. What if this was a scheme to get rid of me? Maybe he was sending me into a den of vicious wolves or bears, to dispose of me without getting his own hands dirty. How could I trust he was speaking the truth about this Keeper?

“Well?”

What did I have to lose? I couldn’t take Var head on and without him, there was no chance of finding Hyde. I’d just have to obey and hope for the best.

“Fine, I’ll do it,” I decided.

“Good.”

“Any advice?”

“The Keeper is always watching. Oh, and if you don’t return for our deal, know I will take good care of Hyde. Or perhaps I’ll punish him instead.” A devious smile curled around his lips. “Now off you go.”

“Off I go?” I turned to look at him but was met with silence. “Var?”

Apart from the soft rustling of leaves and the hiss of the wind, I was alone. And yet... There was that familiar prickling sensation in the back of my neck, like eyes watching me, stalking me. Thousands of eyes, curious eyes, dangerous eyes.

A shiver travelled from the top of my spine down to the back, as to warn me of the danger surrounding me. And despite the apparent calmness of the forest, danger was imminent.

“Great...” I peered into the darkness of the forest. The wind howled as it chased through the trees, tugging me forward. Even if I’d wanted to turn back, I couldn’t. The forest wouldn’t let me.

“Keeper of Illusions, huh?” I hugged myself, wishing I was dressed in more than thin school pants and the standard white shirt. There was a definite chill in the air, one that made the hairs on my arms stand up. Something wasn’t right here, but I just couldn’t put my finger on it.

The dirt cracked under my shoes as I dared cross deeper into the forest. Trees were growing closer together and their branches intertwined in an intricate and suffocating embrace. The thick roof tightened until it blocked out almost every fleck of sunlight.

The darkness was eerie. Unwelcoming.

My heartbeat pounded in my throat, shallowing my breath.

A loud snap made me jump and I twisted in the direction of the sound, but it was hard to locate in the maze of trees.

It came from the left... No, from the right. Or maybe ahead?

Wait... Where was I going again?

Did I come from here?

I turned on my heels, trying to figure out from where I came. Despite the moist ground, there were no imprints or tracks noticeable on the floor. All the twigs and leaves looked undisturbed, as if I’d fallen from the sky and landed in the middle of the greenery.

Shit.

Where did I come from? Where was I going?

“Hello...?” I called out, unsure whether that was the right way to go. Maybe drawing attention to myself was the last thing I should do. Who knew what was lurking in the shadows, what was stalking me from the thick shrubberies.

“Come on, Ylva... You can do this.”

My self-encouragement didn’t help much, but it was better than nothing. And it cut through the deafening silence, which just freaked me out.

Why was it so quiet? Were there no animals around? No insects chirping, or birds making their nests?

And if they weren’t here... Why not?

The longer I thought about it, the more everything freaked me out. I hadn’t walked that far, yet the forest felt like I’d been lost here for days.

Part of me was so tempted to go back, but I wasn’t sure where ‘back’ was anymore. And it wouldn’t serve me any good either. If I couldn’t find a way out of this forest, I was truly his prisoner.

Maybe this whole Keeper of Illusions was a lie, but even if there was a tiny possibility this would get me out of here, I had to risk it.

“Go into the forest,” I muttered to myself, repeating what Var told me. “You’ll be tested by the Keeper of Illusions. What kind of test?”

Somehow, I expected the forest to answer but it remained as quiet as ever. The ominous tension hanging between the trees was palpable, unavoidable. Even if Var was lying, there was something here. Something magical, something sacred.

I ventured ahead, passing more trees than I’d ever seen in my life. The further I went, the weirder they became. Almost more personable.

Thick trunks, knobbly branches, creepy ivy-like vines. Each tree was more overgrown than the other, all grown into bizarre forms and shapes. They reminded me of something, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

Maybe Aellyn? But why would those trees remind me of my Wood Elf classmate?

Although that tree looked like it wouldn’t mind a pink hairdo.

Imagining the trees as my friend made the entire forest a lot less threatening. The thought of her presence made it almost enjoyable. She liked nature and she considered the forest her friend.

She wouldn’t think this was scary or frightening. No, she’d say this was exactly what she missed after spending days between grey walls of the Academy.

And she wasn’t the only one that’d like the forest. Ryoko wouldn’t be scared by a bunch of wonky trees either. She’d laugh at the idea of a Dragon fearing nature.

I shouldn’t either. I was a part of this, of all of this. I had nature in my blood and soul. Where there was air and wind, I was connected to my ancestors, to my family, to my home. Even in the darkest of forest, I carried the love and protection of those within me.

A little braver, I loosened my tie and grabbed a branch from the ground. If I was going to find the heart of the woods, I’d do it my way.

Quickly, I wound the black tie around the base of the stick. That would serve as a decent grip and a temporary weapon in case of... Well, in case of anything.

Just the idea of being armed put me at ease. I could do this. I had the indestructible power of the wind within me and luck on my side. I hoped.

I swung the branch up above my head, ready for whatever came upon my way.

Unexpectedly, a gust roared through the crowns and they replied with a deep, earthy rumble. The trunks groaned, the branches creaked, the leaves shrieked. Their reply echoed through the impenetrable rows of trees, the sheer volume forcing me to shield my ears from their thunderous roars.

The stick thudded to the ground, and as sudden as the ruckus started, it stopped. The forest returned to its eerie silence, so quickly, it almost seemed like nothing happened.

“Sorry.” I held up my hands, hoping they understood I meant no harm. “I come in peace, Keeper of Illusions.”

With my heart thudding loudly in my chest, I waited. For a reply from the forest, or an appearance of the Keeper, anything, really.

“Hello? I’m just looking for the way out. I’m with Var.”

Maybe mentioning his name was a stupid idea. Maybe it would get me killed. But what other choice did I have?

I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I knew one thing for sure. This forest was not friendly.

I waited, my hands up in the air, sweat pearling on my forehead. I wanted to believe I was prepared for anything, but the fear thudding through my ears told me otherwise. If I didn’t keep talking to the trees, I’d freeze onto one spot.

“I’m not here to hurt anyone. I didn’t even mean to come here, really. I was just trying to find my dusk wolf. He’s just a puppy and he was stolen. I just want to return home.”

As I turned to find my bearings, the wind brushed through the trees again. The leaves rustled, the twigs rattled, and as I opened my eyes, the forest came to life.

“Daughter of the wind, you trespass on my lands.”