The party reached the forest in the late evening, the sun beginning to set — dipping itself down beneath the black mountains visible to their south.
Their task was rather simple, yet intricate at the same time: investigate why goblins were gathering in this forest. If there were goblins, they were to spy on them.
"So here's our plan," Jax, the mage, said in an exasperated, prideful voice, like he was above everyone in the party.
"I and Yara will travel in one direction, and you both travel in another. Report back at this same spot whether you do or do not find anything. Use your whistler if there's trouble," he barked orders to the others out of nowhere — but then again, he *was* chosen as the leader of this party. Not that he was necessarily the most suitable candidate.
"Ermm... shouldn't we all stick together?" Hasb exclaimed casually, hands in his pockets — much to the muscle-head Ozkar's annoyance.
"We have only one healer after all. What if we're attacked and injured? And well... shouldn't I take the healer? I can fight directly, and she could assist. While Mr. Ozkar here can fight directly, and you could assist... isn't that a better combo?" Hasb said in a smart manner.
"Get this over with, damn it!" roared Ozkar in anger.
After some more arguments, Hasb eventually went with Yara to the north of the thick forest. Jax, simmering with anger, reluctantly agreed to go west with Ozkar. If they didn't find anything in their respective directions, they would regroup in the east.
The forest was quiet, but not peacefully so. Gnarled trees leaned in from both sides, their branches clawing at the gray light above. The ground was soft with rot, each step muffled by damp leaves. Hasb and Yara walked in silence, the air thick between them — not with words, but with something the forest wasn't saying.
"There's nothing here. Just some creepy vibes, but I guess that's all you," Yara said in a low voice.
Hasb, looking straight ahead, gritted his teeth and sighed.
Crack
Hasb looked back instantly. Yara looked at him with a confused expression, then followed his eyes.
"Did you hear that?" Hasb whispered close to her, instinctively.
Yara looked dumbfounded. "Hear what?" she uttered with genuine confusion.
The crack was loud enough for Hasb to hear. At first, he thought Yara was playing with him, but her confusion was genuine. He didn't understand why she hadn't heard it… but he didn't push. Even though he had no idea what was going on.
"I'm going ahead towards the east, there's nothing here. Get your ass moving," Yara said in a huff.
Hasb, still looking back, moved a little closer… more and more… toward a bush… until he saw, from a distance, something that nearly petrified him.
A man — or rather, a thing— both arms gripping the edge of the bush. Its skin and eyes fully white, like milk. Its lips pitch black, like coal. But what truly terrified him was its smile… stretched fully across its pale, streaked face like a predator delighted to find prey.
Hasb was shaking violently. He had never seen such a thing before. Sure, he had encountered non-human monsters in missions before, but never something so human, yet not. He drew his sword, now glowing with black, vaporizing lightning magic; trembling.
Suddenly, a voice — or rather, a nerve-shattering signal inside his mind — coursed through his nervous system. The voice was old, distorted, and dark… but he could understand the words:
"Awaken. Meet your destiny. Child of Ashkora."
"Oi!" he heard Yara's voice — a human voice.
He looked back instantly, then forward again in a split second… but there was nothing there. The bush remained. The thing was gone. Vanished in less than a second.
"What the hell are you glaring at?" Yara said, frustrated.
She looked at his pale, white face, widened eyes, and trembling body — and instinctively got shivers too.
"W-what… who, what happened?" Yara exclaimed anxiously, her defensive wand now in hand.
"I-it's nothing. My imagination. Let's get moving," Hasb muttered, brushing past her and moving southeast.
Yara didn't press him. She liked the answer. The thought of something unknown out there unnerved her too — so she followed.
The party met in the east. Neither of the pairs had encountered any goblins. It was likely they had just passed through, and the report was misinformation — which was common these days due to the rising number of inexperienced scout reporters. Hasb was dead silent, saying nothing while Jax spoke with Yara.
Ozkar noticed Hasb's terrified expression behind his mask of nonchalance.
The party left the forest and began making their way back to the castle. Night had fallen completely. But there was no moon — a moonless night. Deep darkness covered everything.
Jax flicked his fingers, and they lit up with harmless red flame to guide their way.
Ozkar stepped back a bit, matching Hasb's slow pace. Hasb was walking sluggishly, still immersed in his thoughts.
"You alright, kid?" he asked, taking out a cigarette and lighting it with Jax's flames.
"Huh… where did that come from?" Hasb stammered, replying without looking up.
"You look like hell. What did you see in that forest?" Ozkar asked again, taking a drag.
"It's nothing much… just some things I see every now and then," Hasb said in a somber tone.
Ozkar looked at him. Hasb stared at the ground. But Ozkar didn't push. He gave him a rough nudge on the shoulder.
"Well, no worries. You're a strong kid. I've heard of you. You'll get through."
Hasb smiled, but he knew this wasn't over. Whatever that thing was, it was related to that dream. He just couldn't figure out why.