The Chronicles of Shamballa

Dark Fantasy

“Welcome to the dark forest. Neither demons nor angels dare not venture here: home to the most vicious creatures and horrors beyond imagination, one simply doesn’t enter here unprepared-“said Azazel.

“Hm, it doesn’t look that bad,” remarked Johnathan interrupting his monologue.

As he walked into the Dark Forest, he saw peculiar trees that were so tall that they seem to touch the sky, there were shrubs, bushes and wild flowers everywhere and there leaves spanned five feet or more. The flowers were strangely beautiful but bigger than anything he had ever seen, they smelled nice and they looked so enchanting. It was cool and calm and the green made him feel a lot safer. He felt an overall peace and tranquillity that he hadn’t had in a long time. He wondered why such a beautiful place was called the Dark Forest.

He walked on stepping on dead leaves and twigs in the direction that Azazel pointed him.

“So where’s this gateway? How long do I have to walk?” asked Johnathan.

“You will reach the gateway when you cross this forest. Don’t be fooled by its peaceful looks, it’s all a ruse,” replied Azazel.

“C’mon it isn’t that bad, where are the monsters you speak about huh?” asked Johnathan confidently.

“So it’s this way? Ah, yes, I can see it, that bright sparkly thing, that must be the gateway, doesn’t look too far away,” he remarked.

His eyes fixated on the bright light that shone through the thick leaves of the forest, he was sure he had found the gateway, it would only take him a few minutes to reach the other end of the forest. And so he hurried, enthusiastically, the thought of home filled his heart with warmth.

“Easy there Champ, not so fast, wait, be careful, no, no don’t step on that, ah you,” Azazel couldn’t keep up with his pace, he was moving too fast, he wouldn’t heed to his warnings.

And then it happened, the thing that made Azazel’s soul shiver with fear. As Johnathan excitedly ran across the forest towards the bright source of light, the forest began to change. The green started to fade into black, the trees began to die and decay, the flowers began to rot and the ground filled with black soot. The brightness soon began to be engulfed by a dark shadow, the forest was showing its true nature, and it had come to life!

Johnathan paused for a moment and looked around. A chill ran down his spine, he began to feel the darkness around him, the warmth in his heart was replaced by a cold numb feeling.

“I told you not to rush, now look at what you’ve done, the forest has come to life,” remarked Azazel with fear in his voice.

“Damn it! What is it? Some monster, I will take it on, let them come,” said Johnathan drawing his sword.

“Oh! You’ve doomed us, I’d rather not watch this, good bye!” he replied.

“Wait, what? Azazel? Azazel- come back, you son of a-“cursed Johnathan.

Johnathan looked around anticipating an attack. He looked at the source of light that was still shining at the other end of the forest but it was fading fast-

“Ah, screw it!” he said and continued on his path, carefully watching his steps.

The air around him howled and wailed with cries of strange things. The darkness was falling quickly and it was getting harder to keep track of his steps. All he saw was his goal, the white light, he had to reach it at all cost, home lies just beyond this darkness.

Something flew just above him and he could tell that it had big wings and it was no bird. He ventured deeper and deeper into the forest but it seemed that it would never end. He could jump up high using his abilities but there was barely any space for him to get some momentum, for he needed a ramp to run, just like a plane, before he could spring upwards using his legs. The light was getting dimmer and the darkness was getting thicker. He began to hear movement all around him. Footsteps, tiny little footsteps, following him, surrounding him. And then he heard it, the most dreadful cry of all, the cry of a monster or maybe a woman, a witch, he couldn’t tell. But it lasted for at least ten seconds and the shrilling cry made his ears hurt. Nevertheless he continued running towards the direction of the forest but suddenly a huge tree fell right in front of him, blocking his path. He stopped immediately barely avoiding getting crushed underneath it. And as he was standing another tree fell on top of the previous one. It formed an impossible blockade, he had to do something quickly- he couldn’t turn back and the light ahead of him was getting clouded by dark clouds. If he couldn’t get to the other side before the faded then he would get lost in that forest. Azazel has abandoned him when he needed him the most, but he knew not to trust the Demon Prince himself, he had to improvise and find a way out.

He called upon his powers, his metal arms and steel legs which burned with raw energy, and as he held his sword tightly, it began to draw the power from his hands and shine as bright. This was something new, hell was the darkest place but somehow it elevated his powers to another level, he felt stronger and better. He ran towards the fallen logs of trees and sliced through them twice, they fell apart and he kicked it to find an opening.

He looked at the light, it wasn’t far away but by now it looked like a small candle in the wind, and it would go out any second. He hurried as fast as he could, but as he looked to his right, he saw the ugliest creatures he had ever seen. Dwarves, midgets or as Azazel called them- Dwergi- three feet tall ugly monstrous dwarves, with sickles in their hands, covered from head to toe with some sort of black mining dress with only their dog like teeth visible. They followed him along and it seemed that they were taunting and mocking him all the way. Some of them rushed and jumped at him to attack but Johnathan ducked and they fell away. Their sickles looked really sharp and they were quick. Johnathan could stop and fight them all but he had no time. The light at the edge was almost gone and he could tell that he was less than five hundred meters away from it. But as he crossed the horrible forest, he came to an open area that was covered with thick black fog. This fog made it impossible for him to navigate, he looked ahead, the light was gone, the fog was too dark and the Dwergi were still chasing him… This was the last obstacle that stood between him and his home.