Year 1876
New Moon Night
Ethan gripped the steering wheel of his car, the dim glow of the dashboard lights illuminating the determined look on his face. He was driving along a narrow path that wound through Laavishka, the infamous forest that stood between him and his destination, Rivendale. The atmosphere inside the car was stifling as the cold December air hung heavy around him. He couldn't shake off the excitement and trepidation that coursed through him. This journey wasn't just about crossing the forest; it was about uncovering the mystery of the vanished townsfolk, a puzzle that had haunted him for months.
He had asked Maya to accompany him, but she had refused, her voice tinged with worry as she spoke of the legends surrounding Laavishka. "Ethan, people go in and never come out!" she had pleaded, but her concerns only fueled his resolve. Ethan had always been the bravest student at Arcanum Academy, and he was determined to confront whatever darkness lay ahead.
As he drove deeper into the forest, the car lights flickered ominously, then went dark. He muttered a curse under his breath but stepped out of the vehicle, the chill of the night air biting at his skin. "Just a little technical glitch," he reassured himself, dismissing the creeping fear that gnawed at his mind. He had consumed two glasses of Brandywine before starting his journey, believing it would steady his nerves. Now, he took a deep breath, bolstering his courage as he checked his fuel reserves. He had prepared for this adventure, bringing extra supplies for the long trek through the forest, rumored to stretch over 800 kilometers.
To stave off boredom, he turned on some music, but just as the melody began to fill the cabin, it suddenly cut out. Confused, he cursed the ancient radio system and stepped out, hoping the night would grant him clarity instead of silence.
Mother passed away. The day his mother passed away, the world around him faded into a monochrome blur. Unable to endure the suffocating sadness, he fled to a small town called Willowbrook. His father, burdened by grief, searched for him but eventually succumbed to despair, leaving Ethan with a fractured heart and a sense of abandonment.
In Willowbrook, he found refuge in a garage, working tirelessly to earn a living. But with the weight of his past heavy on his shoulders, he moved on, taking a job as a servant in a local restaurant. There, fate intervened when he met Daniel and Sophie, a couple who had tragically lost their twins in an accident. Their kindness and understanding filled the void in Ethan's heart, and slowly, he learned to trust again. They embraced him as their own, and for the first time in years, Ethan felt the warmth of familial love.
By the age of eight, he enrolled in school, arriving late but catching up with remarkable speed. He quickly became known for his intelligence, eventually gaining admission to Arcanum Academy, the prestigious institution in Willowbrook. It was there that he met Maya, who would become not only his closest friend but also his greatest love.
The silence of the forest enveloped him. Ethan strained to hear any sign of life, but only the rustling leaves whispered his name. He peered into the inky darkness ahead, realizing that he had to proceed without the car's headlights. The engine's sudden silence echoed his earlier thoughts - perhaps this was a sign to turn back. But the allure of the mystery ahead held him captive.
Maya standing beside him, sharing laughter, and dreams of adventures beyond their small town. She had always been the anchor in his life, grounding him whenever the memories of his past threatened to overwhelm him.
The road grew more treacherous, the shadows cast by the towering trees shifting as if alive. Suddenly, the engine coughed and emitted a plume of steam. Panic surged through him as he realized he would have to spend the night in Laavishka. He scanned the surroundings, his heart racing.
To his relief, he spotted a structure in the distance, a small house nestled among the trees, strangely pristine amid the decay of the forest. How could anyone live here? Stories told of the forest being forsaken for over a century. Driven by a mixture of dread and curiosity, Ethan approached the house, his footsteps muffled by the soft earth.
Year 1543,
Despite being a humble surgeon and a modest physician, he diligently provided for his family through the toil of farming. They were a devoted family, blessed with two children - a son and a daughter. The king, known for his benevolence despite his regal stature, beseeched the surgeon to accompany him. After fervent entreaties, the surgeon consented to attend to the king's needs. By the grace of Providence.........
Year 1558,
In the annals of history, no one possessed the might of Aldric. Legends whispered of his ability to bring entire kingdoms to their knees. His heart, however, belonged to Lyra, the beautiful daughter of a neighboring king. Their love was a beacon of hope amid the turmoil of political strife.
Ethan awoke suddenly, heart pounding in his chest. The familiar scent of earth and wood surrounded him, yet he couldn't remember how he had ended up here. He struggled to recall the events that led him to this mysterious house. He scanned his surroundings, his mind racing. Had he passed out after a meal? The last thing he remembered was the darkness of the forest.
Pushing himself up, he was struck by the realization that he had to find a way out. He couldn't remain in this eerie place, especially now that evening had fallen. Determined, he decided to explore the house, hoping to uncover some clues that could explain its presence in Laavishka. As he stepped inside, his heart raced, and a chill ran down his spine.
In the dim light, Ethan stumbled upon a half-burnt book lying on a table. He carefully picked it up, the pages crumbling beneath his fingers. The words were almost illegible, but one sentence stood out: "The King Laavismaan dethroned?." What had happened to cause such a fate?
Evening began to creep in, and Ethan's heartbeat quickened as he ventured deeper into the house. Shadows danced around him, and the air thickened with unspoken secrets. He found another book, its cover adorned with strange symbols and a title that seemed to mock him from the darkness. And the title was........
To be continued...