The Dangers Lurking In The Forest

“So, tell me about this sport you’re so fond of.” Rosalind spoke as she led the way through the Untamed Forest. The sun was beginning to set, casting beams of warm orange light through the cracks of the dense canopy. Ataru’s brows perked, he was hoping she would ask.

“It’s a very simple, but skill intensive sport. Uh, I guess I should explain the rules first.”

He did just that, detailing the number of players, the goal of the game, everything. Before he knew it he’d spent thirty minutes talking about the sport. Rosalind kept her eyes forward but clearly listened to every word, only speaking to ask for clarification. At the end of the explanation she turned to look at him with a smile.

“You really do love baseball huh? You’ve got one of the widest grins I’ve ever seen on your face right now.” Rosalind had quite the smile herself, he could swear his heart rate was spiking as if he’d just run a marathon. He averted his eyes and instead focused on the local flora.

“It just uh, means a lot to me.” He said, trying his best not to show how flustered he was. It had been a while since he’d talked about baseball. Actually, now that he thought about it he hadn’t spoken to someone like this in months. It was a nice feeling to have back.

“I can tell, You certainly have me interested. If I ever play I’d like to try the position of the catcher.” She mimicked the motion of holding up a catcher's mitt, something he did during his explanation.

“Oh yeah? Why’s that?” Ataru cupped his chin, highly attentive.

“Well, I can’t say I know the sport of course, but the catcher seems like a good fit for me.” She said as Ataru tossed a round fruit into her hands. He’d plucked it from a tree earlier and would have eaten it had Rosalind not informed him that it’d turn his stomach inside out.

“Catchers have a tough job. They have to be more aware than anyone else on the team. They’ve gotta stay in an uncomfortable position for a long time, and to top it off most of the time they’re the ones making the calls for the pitcher. Some would say it’s the hardest position.” Ataru said with a scoff.

“Sounds like you don’t agree.” Rosalind tossed the fruit back, he caught it with his left hand.

“Well, I was a pitcher so I’m a little biased. What I think can’t be argued is that the two positions need to be in perfect sync.” Ataru prepared to toss the fruit back when she raised her hand. Her ears twitched as she looked ahead.

“Come here, quietly.” She kneeled down by a tree and beckoned him to follow. This was the second time she heard something he hadn’t. Those long ears weren’t just for show.

“What is it?” He whispered as he leaned against the thick tree.

“Something’s coming.” She said as she put a finger to her lips. Ataru sat still, waiting. He heard the sound of rustling leaves and snapping branches. The noise came closer and closer until it finally stopped. Besides the snapping of wood, he heard something else. It reminded him of when he’d swing sticks around as a kid. Whatever it was, it sure sounded like a lot of swinging sticks. “It’s right on the other side of this tree. If this is what I think it is, then I need you to remain still no matter what. Understood?” Her voice was barely audible, Ataru did as she advised and went stiff as a statue.

It then walked into view, a thing that nearly sent him into a panic. It stood on four legs, with its leathery, obsidian colored skin clashing against the forest backdrop. Its head was nearly all mouth, with dagger-like teeth and no visible eyes or nose. On its back was the source of the whipping sounds. Countless pointed tendrils sprouted from its back, each snapping through the air in random directions. Along with its long tail, it looked like a salamander plucked straight from a nightmare. The dog made of rock was certainly strange, but this was the first thing he’d seen that could truly elicit the thought of the word monster.

It moved closer to the tree, its head tilting right towards the two of them. One of its tendrils slapped against the tree right above Ataru’s head. He tensed, but remained still. It looked like it really couldn’t see. A bird flew out from a hole in the tree, likely startled by the monster. It flew through the air, only to suddenly be impaled by a tendril and swiftly brought into the mouth of the monster. It didn’t even bother chewing before it swallowed the bird and turned around. It sprinted off into the forest with frightening speed, leaving a trail of broken vines and branches.

The two of them sat there, not moving even as the monster was no longer within sight. Eventually, Ataru spoke. “So uh, I’m starting to see how this forest got its name.” He let out a nervous chuckle before standing to his feet.

“Right…” Rosalind let out a sigh of relief as she stood as well. “That was a prickle pup, they can’t see but have tremendous hearing, and their tendrils can sense even a slight shift in the air.” She rattled off facts nervously.

“Prickle pup? Who the hell named it that? Way too cute a name for that thing.” He let out an annoyed huff.

“Right!?” Rosalind’s voice cracked as she looked him in the eyes. “When I read about them I thought surely they would look more adorable than that! Whoever named those monsters needs their head checked!” She took a second to take a deep breath before speaking. “Anyway, let’s go. Once the sun fully sets things will only get worse. There should be an abandoned outpost nearby.”

“An outpost? Was this on a map or something?” Ataru asked. She let out a light cough before speaking.

“Well, I heard from someone that there was an outpost here. I assure you it’s a trustworthy source. Agronia has attempted many times to clear the forest of monsters. There are numerous outposts scattered here and there left by them, this one is simply the closest.” She said. Ataru looked around. Besides lumber, he wasn’t sure what could be worth the trouble.

“Poisonous plants, man-eating monsters, what’s the point?”

“Remember that red stone in the automaton we destroyed? That was a mana stone. Simply put, it’s a precious stone that has been infused with magic energy. There are a multitude of uses for them, from powering household devices to enhancing magic spells.” He was only now noticing that whenever Rosalind taught him something she did so with enthusiasm, as if she enjoyed spouting facts she knew.

“Because mana stones are created when they are infused with magic, you often find them in places dense with magical energy. Places like this forest. There is no other place in the world with a magic density as high as here. So high in fact that should you take a gemstone deep in the forest, it will only take six months to become a mana stone. It typically takes around five years even in the best of cases.” She finished speaking. Ataru nodded, somewhat understanding. Basically they were magic batteries.

“Got it. You sure seem to know a lot, unless this is all common sense here.” He said. Rosalind averted her gaze from his, looking forward.

“I had a lot of time to study, that’s all.” There was a hint of bitterness in her voice, he was tempted to pry but decided against it.

Eventually they reached a small clearing. Besides a large moss covered boulder there didn’t appear to be anything noteworthy there. “Is this the place?” He asked, tossing the forbidden poisonous fruit in his hands back and forth.

“I believe so.” Rosalind walked up to the boulder and began running her hands over it. After a minute or so she pulled a patch of moss aside and dug her fingers into a grove in the stone. “A little assistance, please?” She called out. Ataru dropped the fruit and walked over. Now that he was closer to the boulder he could see that there was something off about it. Behind the moss and vines the boulder was covered in rust.

“R-right, help with the rock.” He gripped the side of the boulder and began pulling along with her. “So is there something I’m missing or–” There was a loud creaking as the boulder suddenly opened up, there was a door on the boulder.

“It’s camouflage.” Rosalind said with a smirk as she walked inside. “And it’s made of steel to withstand monster attacks.” She held up her right hand and a blue flame erupted from her palm, easing into a calm ball of fire. It lit up the inside of the metal dome, which he could now see was composed of many panels of steel. There it was, magic, and used in such a casual manner. Rosalind reached down and pulled on the handle to a metal trapdoor, it popped open to reveal a set of stairs. “Well then, shall we?”