A Tale Of Forests

Fyn.

Kavan returned when it was already nighttime.

Havu had made himself comfortable by resting on Fyn's shoulders. They stood by the cave entrance, waiting for Kavan to return home.

They didn't have to wait very long. Kavan safely landed near the cliff and knelt down as he retracted his wings back into his body. Although the situation was strange, Kavan executed it splendidly. Once his wings were perfectly back inside his skin, he turned around and stopped in place.

Kavan noticed Havu and narrowed his eyes slightly upon seeing him. His teeth grind together as a low growl escapes his lips.

"Why are you on the mortal's shoulders, Havu?"

Fyn felt the snake slither from his shoulders, its scales brushing against his skin. The serpent then approached Kavan, moving with fluid grace. Crouching down, Kavan extended his arm towards the snake, his fingertips gently stroking its back.

Fyn watched the snake round around the demon's arm, nestling just above his head, hanging off his antlers. Fyn observed as Kavan locked eyes with the snake, and it seemed they were communicating without words. Kavan's head nodded firmly, and Fyn felt a sudden tension in his body as he looked toward him.

"Your snake said I could leave," Fyn declared, puffing his chest as he did. "I want to leave now."

Kavan gestured with his hand towards the forest.

"Do as you please."

A smile spread across Fyn's face, the corners of his lips turning upward as he basked in the moment's joy. He took a hesitant step forward and smiled broadly as he gazed at the demon. Now that he knew that he was no murderer, it made him a little less cautious. He still caused a lot of things that made people die.

"Really?"

The sight of Fyn's smile made Kavan's lips curl in disgust.

"I am not stopping you, mortal."

Fearing that Kavan might change his mind, Fyn nodded stiffly. The cool air brushed against his cheeks as he sprinted towards the forest, heart pounding in his chest. Not once did Fyn glance back, entirely focused on escaping. Although he was unsure of the exact path back to the village, he didn't seem to mind. He was confident that he wasn't too far from the village and would eventually reach it.

Before dawn breaks, he is confident he will return safely inside his hut.

After a few hours, Fyn's senses began to betray him. The old tree seemed to be taunting him as he realized he had passed it at least five times already.

Fyn wiped the sweat that dripped from his forehead. There was so much sweat that it formed a circle of water on his back. He felt uncomfortable in his clothes because the sweat made them cling tightly to his body. He sighed and leaned against the familiar tree, using his shirt sleeves to wipe his skin.

"This doesn't make any sense," Fyn groaned loudly to no one in particular. He had been running for what seemed like hours or possibly even longer. "I should be in the village by now."

While atop the mountain, Fyn noticed that the forest was close to the village, with only a few trees separating them. The path was straightforward, so as long as one ran straight, there was no chance of getting lost. And that was what Fyn did. What he didn't expect was that it seemed that he had miscalculated. That was the only explanation.

He ran in a straight line. There was no way he could have missed the village.

Fyn sighed, leaned back, and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.

The cool night air hit his face as he stumbled forward, his breathing in ragged gasps. His legs felt heavy, and his muscles burned with exhaustion from running relentlessly. He felt grateful for eating some fruit in Kavan's cave. Without it, his situation would have been even worse. To his surprise, nothing had chased after him. Fyn was expecting wolves to be on his track, ready to devour him whole.

None of that happened. Although exhausted, Fyn was still alive. He was still living and breathing. And that was already something in itself.

The moon shone brightly overhead, casting a soft glow over everything below. A gentle breeze caressed his cheek, bringing the sweet scent of blooming flowers. Fyn suddenly felt sleepy and couldn't resist yawning. He stretched his arms above his head to increase his blood flow.

It was already nighttime. Fyn can take a rest now and wake up in the morning.

Yes, Fyn's mind drifted in a hazy mist as though he was half asleep. That's what I'm going to do.

As Fyn was about to sleep, he realized he may have been more exhausted than expected. Because he immediately felt like he was dreaming with his eyes wide open. That could be the only explanation for what was happening before him.

The vines encircled him, enveloping him with flowers and large leaves as if to shield him from the chilly weather. The wind carried with it a new scent that was salty and reminiscent of the sea, like how it smelled back in his hut when it was morning. Fyn's lips curved upwards as he drifted into a peaceful slumber, allowing his eyes to gently shut. He was at ease and admitted that this was among the finest dreams he had ever experienced.

Fyn felt a voice echo in his mind, a voice that bore a striking resemblance to Havu's.

"Fyn," The voice whispered. Fyn suddenly felt a shaking sensation on his shoulders. He furrowed his brows and swatted it away in irritation. As he turned around, the soft warmth of the blanket enveloped him, lulling him back into a peaceful slumber. Only... he was in the Gashea forest, and his blanket was back in his hut. Fyn quickly opened his eyes and sat up, looking around to see where he was. "Fyn."

Like many others who were abruptly woken up from a deep sleep, Fyn appeared confused and groggy as he looked around. Fyn furrowed his brows and looked beside him. He narrowed his eyes when he saw Havu hanging off a branch.

Fyn's eyes drooped as he let out a lazy yawn, his hand absently scratching at his side. "Good morning."

Havu bowed his head again, "It is."

"Hm," Fyn extended his arms and noticed something drop from his shoulders. He felt a wave of confusion wash over him as his gaze drifted to his lap. There was a big leaf upon him, he looked up in surprise to see it covering him completely. He lay amidst a bed of flowers of varying hues. He picked up the large leaf and lifted it towards Havu. "Who put this on me?"

"It seems like they like you," Havu's voice said inside Fyn's head. Fyn lowered his head and glanced at his makeshift bed once more. He figured the flowers and leaves must be why he felt like his sleep last night was one of the best sleep he had all his life, despite sleeping on the forest ground. Havu noticed the confusion on Fyn's face and gestured for them to look around, indicating that it might be helpful. "They have covered you in fine leaves and flowers. Let you inhale rare pollen that would ensure deep and wonderful sleep. And it seems they did not let you leave, for you are still here."

Fyn bit the inside of his cheek, "Who are you talking about?"

"The forest," Havu replied, sticking his tongue out momentarily. "Do you not hear them? They speak."

Considering the events that were occurring, encountering a welcoming forest was not particularly shocking, especially with the presence of demons and a talking snake. Fyn gazed again at the leaf beneath him before looking up at the tree that provided shade from the sun.

Softly, he whispered, "Thank you."

"Is that why I thought I was running around in circles?" Fyn asked, "And here I thought I was going the wrong direction."

Havu slithered off the branch he was hanging on. As Havu slithered towards him, Fyn smoothly extended his arm, feeling the cool texture of the snake's scales against his skin. In an instant, Havu coiled around Fyn's shoulders, settling in comfortably like a small scaly scarf. Fyn couldn't resist petting the snake and snuggled closer to it. Havu's voice rang inside his head, "You did not."

"Why didn't they make me leave?"

A hissing sound escaped Havu's lips, reminiscent of a snake's warning. "I am not the right one to ask."

"It's not like they could answer me," Fyn chuckled. "I would rather ask you."

"Snakes do not speak," Havu pointed out. "And yet here I am."

Rolling his eyes, Fyn cleared his throat.

"Why didn't you make me leave?"

Unexpectedly, a response echoed back to him as he shouted the question into the vast emptiness. Soft whispers drifted on the wind, tickling his ears with an indiscernible murmur.

'Do not leave....'

'...He is alone...'

'...You are kind.'

'Stay...please.'

Fyn gasped for air and felt his skin break out in goosebumps as he instinctively covered his mouth with his hand. He looked around with wide eyes, trying to identify the source of the voice. However, he knew that it was not something visible to the naked eye. Havu moved his head. Now, he was directly in front of Fyn's face. A triumphant gleam in the snake's eyes.

"They..." Fyn drawled, wetting his lips. "They actually spoke to me."

Havu bobbed his head, "Like I said. They seem to like you."

"Still," Fyn's voice echoed through the forest as if he wanted to ensure every tree and creature within its depth heard him. "I want to go home! This isn't right. And it's not like he even wants me here!"

Once again, a chaotic multitude of voices responded.

'Do not leave....'

'... He is alone...'

'Stay... Stay... He is lonely.'

Fyn expressed frustration by groaning and throwing his hands up in the air.

"He doesn't seem like that to me!"

After Fyn pointed out that little fact, the forest fell silent. The rustling of leaves and chirping of birds ceased. It was as if the forest had withdrawn, no longer willing to engage with him.

A low, guttural groan of frustration escaped him as he sat up, his hands instinctively reaching up to rub his temples. The dull ache in his head was persistent, and he couldn't shake off the annoyance building up inside him.

All the while, Havu was still tightly coiled around his neck. Fyn wanted to laugh at his situation. If the villagers only saw him now. They would consider him brave and heroic. The men wouldn't dare laugh at him now.

For a brief moment, Fyn's mind was filled with an unpleasant image of Hana's sour expression, causing him to grimace in disgust.

Havu noticed almost immediately, "Is something the matter?"

"Nothing," Fyn replied. "Just thought of something ridiculous. Could you point the way out?"

"It would not work," Havu rolled off his shoulders and coiled himself around his waist like a belt. Fyn wanted to tease him since the snake had a sense of fashion in some sort of way. "The forest will not let you leave."

"Ugh," From the outset, Fyn realized the question was absurd. "Could you point at least to somewhere I could find food?"

Havu tightened around his waist. The action caused Fyn to think about Kavan's arm around him. Flush crept up towards his ears, and he pinched himself absentmindedly. Instead of focusing on survival, he was preoccupied with thoughts of strong, comforting arms. Fyn pinched himself once more. Just to be sure.

"That I could do," Havu replied. "Let us go."

Fyn followed Havu's directions, feeling the warm sun on his skin and the soft grass beneath his feet. He couldn't help but smile at his new friend.

The snake told him about a clearing that was full of fruit-bearing trees. There was even a pond with sweet-tasting water that he could drink as much as he wanted. According to Havu, as the forest had shown favor towards him, he believed it would also produce different fruits and vegetables.

Everything that Fyn wanted, he would get.

As long as he stayed.

As the scene unfolded before him, Fyn couldn't help but find the absurdity of it all overwhelming. He felt a sudden urge to burst out laughing, his senses heightened by the surrealness of the moment.

Back in the village, he wanted nothing more but to be welcomed and accepted by the other villagers. He wished to be seen as a man and not be teased for living far away from the forest out of fear. None of that happened, not even when they made him the demon's bride and threw him toward the forest.

And here he was, being accepted by a living forest. Giving him gifts and wishes, giving him the best sleep he ever had. Wanting him to stay.

Shaking his head, Fyn felt Havu tighten around his waist.

"What's wrong?" He asked, confused.

Havu remained silent and lifted his gaze upwards. Tilting his head, Fyn followed his gaze.

Fyn stood in stunned silence, eyes wide and mouth agape.

Despite following Havu's direction to a tee, the forest still made Fyn return to where he came from. He stood at the cliff's edge, gazing toward Kavan's cave. The wind whipped through his hair, and he could feel the cool mist rising from the sea below. The salty smell of the ocean filled his nose, mixing with the earthy scent of the cliff's mossy surface. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves.

"You have got to be kidding me."