13 Chapter 13: The Passageway

Something was different...

Instead of aimlessly wandering without knowing where to go, Geo know knew where he was headed.

Another thing that helped him along the way was the fact that his path could now be illuminated by touch and movement. This in turn made it almost feel like he wasn't in the Forest of Confrontation.

Instead, it felt like he found himself in some kind of magical place. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, yet whenever he looked behind there was no sign of the sort...

"Strange..."

He thought to himself continuing on his path. Geo encountered all kinds of weird and magical looking creatures.

Most looked like normal animals and plants,

but what made them give off the magical vibe was the fact that everything lighted up in a way he could not begin to describe. Feathers began to glow with movement, beaks began to crackle leaving behind a distinct glittering in the air.

Gradually Geo forgot why the dwarfs warned him about the forest as light and glitter brought him astray, warmth felt his heart as the presence of the unknown slowly crept closer to his side.

Darkness wasn't on his mind, at least not for the moment, the glistering of fluids let him astray as he went further on his way... further and further he went, without a thought of where he should be heading.

Darkness crept closer from every corner creeping in, slowly biting away at what once was magical and vibrant. When the glistening of the air and plants a finally subdued,

that when Geo realized his mistake.

Luckily for him, there was still hope,

the hope of finding his way through the ever-changing path of confrontations... by now,

Geo had realized it was best not to stray from the path, shown on the map. The shadows slowly crept closer now beginning to cover his feet, almost like entangling him walking felt more difficult to him.

Unable to say why, he continued struggling forward, knowing he shouldn't have been distracted by the beauty and magical atmosphere creatures by those within.

A while had passed as Geo had found his way back to recognizable grounds, but before he could continue onwards it began to feel like something was holding him back, dragging him back into the darkness even.

Now... the lights that once looked magical gave off an eery glow as realization struck... he had become a victim of the forest! Something dark and gooey tangled around his legs, slowly creeping upwards...

Grabbing hold of his arms, Geo was unable to fight back. In a final attempt hoping someone might rush to his aid, Geo tried to shout out as loudly as he could.

...

Silence...

...

Geo tried again, but this time only a struggling muffled noise came out, only to realize that whatever had taken hold of his arms and legs was now covering his mouth... even oozing in ever so slightly.

Geo tried to fight back... but couldn't as he quickly realized that he had lost control over his entire body.

In sheer desperation Geo tried to see if he could identify who or what did all this to him... opening his eyes, he couldn't believe that what he saw...

Was nothing... nothing at all...

His muffled cries now completely silenced by the rustling of roots? Geo didn't know what to do anymore... struggling was futile... whatever he got entangled in he had become stuck...

As the realization of helplessness sunk in,

there was nothing Geo could do, the formless ooze...

Roots or whatever it might be that ensnared him now slowly crept closer to his mouth...

The horror-struck when the ooze wiggled its way slowly throughout his mouth making him want to puke... Geo lost the ability to breathe as he gasped for air... The only thing within his mind besides the excruciatingly painful and forcefully ooze entering his entire body was the fact that he was still alive even though he wished that he was dreaming...

That this, horrific endeavor which he could not begin to describe was all a dream. But time and time again... as he thought he was done for the beast slowly nested itself deeper and deeper within, just before... he woke up...

Had it all been a dream? Was it?

Geo looked around in disbelieve as he didn't recognize anything around him...

It seemed like he was someplace different...

Quickly Geo grabbed his head, as it felt like splitting in two, something he had experienced a few times over in his past life as he enjoyed drinking through the night with friends.

But what came as a surprise was the fact that he couldn't remember a thing of what had happened to him...

Even if... he recognized the tangling dark black roots on the ceilings above him.

"Strangle roots"

He mumbled to himself.

"Ugghhh... my head hurts like having a competition with Jonathan... man... remember not to do that anytime soon whit anyone for that matter... hahaha."

Again Geo looked around... but still didn't recognize a thing... as he did with blackout nights before, he reached into his pockets hoping to find any clues what so ever... but the only thing he could find seemed to be a map of some sorts...

Quickly it dawned on him, what he needed to be doing and checked the contents.

"Odd..."

The map showed signals of having found the entrance... but... it couldn't be here, right?

"The entrance to the passageway? No... it...

Ouch..."

Geo's head was killing him, but he had to push forward. Unaware of where he was he needed a light source, thinking if which... was there any?

Geo reached around hoping to find something like a torch, but couldn't find any, frustrated by this he sat down on the ground and soon realized he should be able to make his own.

"Hmph... nothing to work with... you know what?!

I'll make my own, take that nature!!"

Geo took on a pose trying to summon his elemental prowess, but to no avail... again he tried which let him exhausting his energy as several tries let to nothing...

Frustrated he realized something wasn't right...

His powers didn't come through... Normally he felt the energy coursing through his veins,

but now there was nothing.

Not having his elemental advantage in a time like this... what could have happened?! Still... Geo didn't allow this to discourage him as he knew he was still alive...

Determined to find out what had happened to him, Geo reached out for the walls. Slowly his eyes began to adjust and with it his realization that he had found what he came for...

The passageway...