Magical Forest

The room containing the large Memory Book was chilling and difficult to get into. Scarlet, Flen, and Blackwood left as they heard more goblins and Cosmocrats were coming their way. As the group moved back to the underground tunnel, they recalled the old man had left some markers around. If they were spotted, they would glow bright green. In the pitch dark, the green glow could be seen close by. They all stood near the marker and it teleported them to an unknown destination.

They were mesmerized by the beauty of the scenery. There were numerous trees shaking their limbs as if to greet them. A couple leaves fell elegantly down to the ground.

Shake Shake Shake Shake

The fruits on the trees were big, juicy and ripe. One pale reddish orange colored peach tumbled to Blackwood’s foot. He was extremely excited about the fresh fruit and went to pick it off the ground. He was about to take a bite of it.

Aaaaaaaaaaah

The peach screamed.

Aaaaaaaaaaah Blackwood yelled as a reflex, he did not expect it to be vocal.

While the peach was falling from Blackwood’s hands, Flen sliced the peach in half and caught it.

He offered one half to Scarlet.

“Thank you Flen, but I think I’ll pass.”

Scarlet was sweating.

I don’t think I want to bite into a noisy peach.

Blackwood happily took both halves.

“Thank you Flen.” Chews smush

Blackwood exclaimed, “The Magical Forest… in all its glory, I can’t believe I’m able to see this place again!”

The forest itself at night had some unique creatures and plants. There were occasional chirps from crickets and croaking from restless toads. They were larger than normal with tiny spikes all over them. The mushroom caps released thousands of fireflies like spores in the air. They glowed orange. Most of the plants were sleeping and snoring with their infrequent murmurs.

There was some rustling in the bushes. A large and fierce hairy gray boar poked its head out. It had massive worn tusks that can push through anything.

Snorts Grunt Grunt Snorts

The gray boar stared at them in a confused manner. Its nose pressed on the ground and started smelling.

Snorts Grunt

Flen reached out for his sword. He shielded Scarlet and pointed the tip of the sword at the boar.

Blackwood looked at the boar with gentle eyes. He turned to Flen, "I don’t think he will hurt us…let me see."

Flen nodded in agreement, "I'll take your word for it, I'm just making sure." He slowly moved his sword away.

"Don't be scared..." Blackwood said in a soft voice. He kept his distance apart until the boar was comfortable. He had a knack for communicating with creatures. The black bird from the prison found him again and sat on his shoulder. It used its wing to adjust the spectacles on top of its beak.

The black crow flapped its wings in a rhythmic pattern.

Caw Caw

The black bird left his shoulder and then flew over to the boar's back. The boar started panicking and grunting in a frenzy, trying to fling the bird off its back. The black crow noticed a big blood sucking parasite on its back. The parasite looked like an armored beetle with one giant red eyeball. It had a giant needle that was poking through the thick boar’s skin. It was enjoying the boar’s blood. The bird found it to be irresistible, it tilted its back and pecked at it.

Squeal Squeal The parasite was shrieking in pain.

The black bird then swallowed it in one gulp. The boar's panicked expression softened to relaxation.

Blackwood then came closer to the boar and rubbed its hairy chin. Its fur was thick and coarse. He felt each individual strand of fur with each stroke.

"You like that..don’t you? Parasites are a pain indeed."

The boar then spoke, only Blackwood could understand it. The boar slowly nodded its head in satisfaction.

"You and me friend," bellowed the Boar.

“I mean you no harm my friend. I will call you Soka the Boar.” Blackwood smiled in response.

Blackwood laughed. Ever since he could remember he was able to talk to animals. It was a skill that he enjoyed the most as he was an animal lover. He was touched by what the boar said. He scratched its chin again. The boar closed its eyes in pleasure and began to lay down.

Scarlet was further impressed with Blackwood, him speaking to animals was very interesting to her.

I wonder if he could talk to Pim…I miss Pim, I wish he was with me.

Flen noticed the sad expression on her face and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Are you alright?"

He pulled her closer to hug her tightly in his arms. He stroked her head gently.

Blackwood stared at the two of them.
He chuckled to himself.

He led them to an area with the oldest giant tree with its branches being so vast, it towered over the other trees.

“This used to be my playground. I’m glad it is still around.” Blackwood mentioned it proudly.

Flen and Scarlet watched on in amazement at the size of the tree.

The markings on the tree resembled a grieving face, giving the impression of deep sorrow. He gently lifted one of the branches to the side. In turn, rustling sounds of more branches moved and the mouth lowered itself to open, a rough stone staircase came out.

He then led them the way to the hidden spot inside the tree. There were nooks and corners that you can sit on.

“Any of you hungry?”

Flen and Scarlet looked at both of each other’s growling stomachs.

Blackwood saw a slithering giant striped worm wrapped itself on one of the branches. He slowly pulled it out and it slapped him, so he almost fell off the tree.

“Oh no you don’t!” He then proceeded to tackle it and held it down and asked Flen to help him tie it up.

Flen reluctantly assisted him with the task. Scarlet slid down the base of the tree to chase the dancing mushrooms.

They were spinning around and doing ballet, dodging her swipes with every dance motion. They did grow tried after a while and she was able to catch a couple into her basket.

“Nice job you two. Now, we can enjoy this meal together,” said Blackwood while salivating.

They moved back to ground again and Blackwood began to start a fire with thinly shredded wood pieces. Grayish smoke rose up and the flames grew hotter. They sat around the fire, it was warm.

Scarlet stretched out her hand over the fire. It felt nice along her fingers.

While they were cooking, they noticed a small creature that looked like Pim with its nose sticking out to smell the food. The nose wiggled close to the grilled worm.

Scarlet almost screamed Pim’s name, but she noticed it did not have the third eye. It was also very small and young.

As they ate, Flen and Scarlet asked about the black bird that was on Blackwood’s shoulder.

“Well, this bird used to be a human just like us. His name is Roin, he was my loyal companion and friend. The Cosmocrats bewitched him ever since the day of my capture. Even though he has wings, he remained to visit me every day.”

Scarlet giggled to herself.

“You two were always bickering so I was wondering what was going on.”

Caw Caw

The black bird winked at her.

“I’m sure, he would like to return to himself someday. I just don’t know how to do that.”

They started to dig into the cooked food.

Flen almost spat out his food. He wiped his mouth, “Apologies.”

Scarlet ate a little and her face winced.

It seemed like only Blackwood, Roin the bird, and Soka the boar were the only ones who were enjoying the campfire food. Blackwood still saw a little nose peeking out of the bushes. He motioned with his finger to the small Pim to have it come closer.

He then tore a small piece from the grilled worm and fed it to little Pim.

It hiccupped and rolled on its back.

“Awww....Hi little Pim.” Scarlet stroked its belly. It moved all of its hooves to hold onto her hand.

“Oh no, you got me, “she cheerfully said.

“We should probably take him back to his family, they must be worried.”