CHAPTER-01. Humans are Interesting Creatures. [01]

Inside the 7th settlement, a decent-looking house made of wood, stone and mud is in grave danger. Because, on the roof of this house, a boy is laughing creepily. The boy is roughly 17 or 18 years old. Currently, he is plotting something big, and this house is the final Dot.

"Dan: Legacy, is everything ready?" Dan asked in his mind.

"Legacy: lights-check, sounds-check, location-check, and finally vict!m$.. cough. Cough.. actors-check. Perfect. Everything is ready Dan." Answered a Voice in Dan's mind.

"Dan: Then.. ACTION." Dan ordered in his Mind.

As Dan said that word, something happened inside the house. One of the rooms inside this house is dimly lit by the light crystals. Currently, a couple is enjoying themselves.

Suddenly, all the light crystals cracked, darkening the whole room. The couple sat up on their bed in bewilderment. Nana asked her husband in confusion, "Nana: why are the lights suddenly out? Did you bought faulty ones again?1"

Her husband, still a little confused, was about to check the crystals when an eerie, bone-chilling sound started spreading in the room. The husband instinctively guarded his wife and started surveying the surroundings cautiously.

"Mastaf: I am a 4th transformation warrior. Whoever you are, if you don't come out now, I will make sure you regret it." The Husband roared towards nothing.

No one answered his roar though. The sound continued echoing inside the house. Out of nowhere A pale blue fire appeared inside the room levitating in air. Both husband and wife tensed seeing that flame. The fire didn't care about them and started moving. The flame passed through the wall without damaging it. The husband hastily opened the window and searched for the flame.

What he saw shocked him to the Core. Dozens of blue fires are moving towards a certain Black tree. Bone chilling screams are coming out of that tree.

To make things worse, the tree lit up with bizzare radiance and the screams intensified. A greyish figure dug itself out of the ground and growled in intangible voice. It's low growls sounded like " W..ill .. Ha..ve.. rE..ven..ge." Then, the figure Vanished in thin air.

Mastaf stood rooted in his place. His back is drenched in sweat. He has never in his life.. Ever saw something as Horrifying as this. His wife also has that same Horror in her eyes.

"Mastaf: What the Hell, did I just saw? What is going on?" Screamed Mastaf in a horrifying tone.

"Nana: I.. I saw a Boy burying a corp.. corpse under that tree yesterday. Maybe that corpse cam.. came back to life?" Replied Nana in a stuttering voice.

"Mastaf: Don't be ridiculous. There's no such thing as Gho.. Ghosts. That is just a Hallucination. Let's go.. go to bed." The Husband berated his wife putting a brave front, but inside he is screaming, ' That thing is definitely a Ghost'.

With that in mind, they both wished the night to end as soon as possible. But, little did they know that the perpetrator of this whole situation and reason of their misery is laughing creepily on their own roof.

"Dan: Haha.hahaha... I can't believe they fell for it. Legacy, Our Actors are such good people. I am really looking forward to this. How is it?"

"Legacy: Perfect. We have treasures worth millions in Inventory, Your escape plan is ready, Master Plan is Halfway complete. Now the only problem we have to take care of.. How are you going to Explain that *ULTRA INSTINCT* misunderstanding to Elena?

"Dan: Oh! That headache. Because of a big mouthed bas*ard, All my plans would be ruined. I need to fix that quick."

"Legacy: You have to. We don't have much time. We need to come up with a perfect Act before the Expedition. Let's discuss this later."

"Dan: Yeah. Now that couple witnessed every thing, rumours will start to spread soon. I just have to wait. Good job Legacy, Call back the Nanites. We are returning home." Dan said in his mind to that voice. Then, he again laughed and Vanished from there.

"Nana: Dear, I think I heard a laughter from our roof." Nana said hesitating a bit.

"Mastaf: Do not mind them. They are just Hallucinations. Go back to sleep." Mastaf replied hiding his fear.

Today was an Exhausting day. First Dan ransacked.. ahem.. picked some treasures from here and there, Blamed all of that on a already Dead person, caused trouble as ghost and brought an Imaginary ghost to life. Truly what an Exhausting day.

He deserves a good night's rest. With that he went to sleep.

If you are wondering what is happening, then.. It all started only a month ago...

IN the Vast expanse of a Forest, where even the slightest sound couldn't be Heard, eerie Winds are blowing. Sounding like they are murmuring something. An Aura of danger is oozing out of the forest, as if telling those who dare approach, that they have Dreaded upon a forbidden zone.

Although it looks like a place no Human could even dream of living.. Ever, HUMANS ARE INTERESTING CREATURES that like to do things that are beyond their Capabilities and Control. Even in this Nightmarish place they are able to thrive.. More like Survive.

"Marus Forest" is a forest full of blackened trees, as if made of nothing but charcoal. They aren't Burnt though.. And are surely not Dead. Silence is the only thing that lasts here Forever, if you ignore those intangible Murmurings. Being silent doesn't mean it is devoid of any Life. Life here.. just don't like to make any meaningless Noise.

In Certain Places of this eerie Forest, Huge patches of trees were cleared; as though Holes have appeared in a fine black Cloth. Man made structures could be seen inside those patches of Land, relaying the message, this is where Humans live. Human settlements.

These Settlements are of different shapes and sizes and are apart from each other by a distance of few kilometres. Creating a chain. But there is one thing, that is common between them. Every single one of them are protected by a Huge wall with lucidly glimmering symbols.

Inside one of the larger settlements, a decent looking House made of black bricks and stones is constructed. Surrounding this house, around 200 accomodations made of wood, mud and stones are messily built upon this cleared land.

Currently a figure is Walking towards the Central most building of this settlement. After reaching the central Hall, the figure stood infront of its gate quitely. Few moments later a Servant came and escorted him inside.

Once inside the House Dan looked at the Familiar but.. not so Familiar Interior. Interior design of this house is quite simple, giving a Vibe of solemness. While Dan was thinking about something, a Middle aged slightly short person came out of the kitchen. He was pleasantly surprised seeing Dan.

"Basar: Dan did you came to deliver the alcohols I forgot? Great." Basar spoke in a pleasant tone.

"Dan: Yes. You forgot these on the table." Dan responded as he took out 2 bottles out of his bag and handed them over to Basar.

Basar accepted the bottles and asked, "Basar: Have you eaten yet? If not, let's have dinner together?"

"Dan: No. I just ate a while ago. I am returning to the Tavern now." Dan said and excused himself. As he was leaving Another middle aged man with a strong built and sharp eyes came down from the upper floor. Seeing Lord Morita, Dan gave a bow.

Lord Morita Reciprocated with a nod and asked, "Morita: How old are you This year, Dan?

"Dan: I just became 18 recently, my Lord." Answered Dan with a half bowing posture.

"Morita: No need to be so respectful towards me. Lead a good and fulfilling life like your father. Be careful on your way the 'Darkest Hours' will start soon." Lord Morita said while patting Dan's head. After that, he went to have dinner. Dan slowly opened the door and left the Central Hall.

As Dan turned around and Gazed into the far Beyond he saw, A Black Fog with a spine chilling visage and intangible Murmurings is Slowly but steadily approaching the chain of settlements. Like a Humongous beast, That Darkness is Devouring every single thing in it's way. Soon it will Veil the Whole chain of settlements in Darkness as well. People of Marus Forest call this phenomena "The Darkest Hours".

Dan closed his Eyes and turned Away from that terrifying yet Beautiful scenery. He sighed and started walking towards the Tavern.

As Dan was walking, he saw a man is running towards him. The man stopped seeing Dan. Looking at the man's Leather Bag a slight smirk appeared on his face.

He is going to ransac.. ahem..ahem.. pick some useful things today.