A man, burdened by a crying infant, ventures into the treacherous Forbidden Forest, a place of death and despair. He seeks refuge from a relentless pursuit, but finds himself drawn deeper into the heart of danger, facing the unknown and the wrath of a powerful force that lurks within its shadows.
Without any hesitation, the man walks straight at the boundary of the said “THE FORBIDDEN FOREST’’
The Forbidden Forest was a place of whispered tales, steeped in a history of tragedy and terror. Its origins were shrouded in myth and legend, a tale of a fallen goddess and a demon's insatiable greed. It was said that the goddess, once a protector of the forest, had been slain by the demon for a magical stone that held immense power. The forest, now cursed, became a graveyard of the fallen, a place where life itself withered under a shroud of darkness.
The man, his face etched with fatigue and desperation, carried the infant with a gentle hand. He was a stranger to the forest, an outsider seeking sanctuary from a perilous pursuit. The infant, oblivious to the dangers that surrounded them, cried out with a piercing wail, tugging at the man's heartstrings. He tried to soothe the child, offering a bottle of milk from a small bag strapped to his shoulder, finding solace in the tiny hand clutching his finger. As the man navigated the treacherous paths, a guttural growl echoed through the silent forest.
He froze, his senses alert, his heart hammering against his ribs. The growl grew louder, closer, a primal threat that sent shivers down his spine. He knew he was not alone, that the forest's denizens had awakened, sensing their presence, and they were coming to claim their due.
As the man desperately climbed a towering tree, seeking refuge from the wolf's attack, he settled the baby on a branch. He checks how safe the baby is on a branch. Suddenly, a sharp pain in his leg caused him to scream in agony. Looking down, he saw a large black wolf biting his leg as if trying to sever it from his body. The loud scream startles the baby, making it cry. Seeing the baby's fear, he gathers all his strength and kicks the wolf as hard as he can in the head. As the wolf releases his leg, a loud scream of pain is heard. Looking down from the tree, he sees the large black wolf lying lifeless. Before he could survey the surroundings, a deep voice cut through the night, breaking the silence.
"This place is dangerous, not only for you but especially for the baby with you."
A figure emerged from the shadows, his presence a beacon of hope in the heart of the darkness. He was tall, shrouded in darkness, his features obscured by the dim light filtering through the canopy. He had arrived just in time, a mysterious savior in the man's moment of need. He took the baby from being placed on the branch of the tree and descended. He looks for the man who help them, before he can express his gratitude, waves his left hand, conjuring a bright blue light.
"Simply follow this, and you will exit this forest. Leave now, for there are more dangerous things here."
With that, the man turns and walks away. Despite being amazed by the magic he has just witnessed, and fearful of what the man might do to them, the man takes a deep breath. Instead of following the magical light that created by this man by his gesture that could help them leave, he opts to follow the man, cautiously trailing behind.
He sees the man stop, without looking back, and say,
"Human, you are heading in the wrong direction to exit this forest. You should go the other way, not here. Go back while you still have time."
"Can we come with you? Or maybe stay for the night and leave in the morning?"
"Human, not all those who assist you are good. Go back and leave this place."
"But..."
He is interrupted by a cough, causing blood to spurt from his mouth. Succumbing to a series of coughs that weaken his knees, he collapses in pain.
"It seems your condition is serious, Human."
The baby also began to cry from its arms. A sharp cry was released by the baby, crying as if sympathizing with the man holding it.
"Please, take this baby with you. This is my only request to you. I am close to death and without..."
The man cannot finish his sentence, as another bout of coughing prevents him from speaking further. Kneeling before the man, who is now looking at him, while the baby is crying, the man remains silent. The man who rescued them simply shook his head because of witnessing his persistent coughing.
“This child no longer has parents. If this child were to die, the lives that sacrificed for its survival would lose their value,”
He said as he knelt in front of the man who was currently looking at him, while the baby he was carrying continued to cry.