Shadows Of The Forest

The night fell on the village where I was born, but there was no joy in the villagers' eyes. The once peaceful and festive evenings transformed into sorrowful memories. Fire danced in my eyes as I watched my humble home burn. The barbaric shadows we believed to be myths ravaged the town and its inhabitants, scarring the old and marking the young. Everyone under thirty was spared, the rest was taken. The demons searched for something, or someone.

A fight began near the edge of the forest, tainting the leaves in scarlet. I turned to identify the fool who dared to cross the supernatural beings and chocked on a sound. I recognized the auburn hair of my best friend throwing fists at an armed soldier. His opponent laughed and his eyes ignited in a crimson color. In a swing of the sword, the shadow struck down the young man. A scream escaped my lips and I regretted my action. The shadow warriors rushed in my direction, their feet barely brushing the tip of the ground.

I spun in the opposite direction in an attempt to escape. It was too late. Three dark figures encircled me. Their eyes filled with hate and deprived of pity. "I didn't do anything," I babbled in fear.

"Her fear resembles the others," the hooded shadow standing at my right told his peers.

"Look deeper," ordered the deep voice of another.

The shadow standing at my right took a step in my direction and extended a hand. I felt his despicable breath on me. I closed my eyes and leaned to the side. "I can't see anything," the shadow growled.

"You can't see anything abnormal?" asked the one standing at my left.

"No. I can't see anything at all," the shadow grasped my hair and gazed into the azure color of my eyes. His sight was on me, but his attention was elsewhere. In a sudden movement, he threw me down to my knees. "It's her," the shadow exclaimed to his companions.

"Kill the rest," the most imposing shadow of the three figures raised a hand and an obsidian orb appeared above us. Thirsty bloodhounds emerged and tracked the fleeing villagers, while I was being held down by my captor. A glacial current ran down my spine as my legs menaced to give in to fright.

In a world where the elements were personified as deities, I was a young woman named Kyla. The Elemental Forest watched over our safety as the elders believed that the forest was home to the four elemental deities - Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. Always fascinated by the stories of the deities and their powers, I would often wander into the forest, hoping to catch a glimpse of an hint that would make me believe. Despite my devoted efforts, I never saw them. Where were these deities in time of need? Helpless, I watched the bloodhounds, with the villagers' corpses in their jaws, throw themselves in the abyss swirling above their master.

I did not understand why the shadows came, nor what they meant when they targeted me and I was not eager to find out. Regulating the incessant thumping of my heart, I threw side glances at the forest. The woods were calm and only disturbed by the rustling of the leaves conjured by the strong unnatural wind.

Though I understood the forest's meandering paths, getting to its edges was tricky. Captive, both time and strength weren't in my favor.

"Please kill me," I mumbled, starring at the ground, while my mind searched for the most peculiar idea to get me out of such an odd situation.

The darkness was just too much. As I was about to give in to the fate that awaited me, a glimmer of light at the corner of my eye caught my attention. A subtle and embracing voice called my name. " In the darkness resides a wicked demon, and the shadows are his minions. He has been attempting to entice innocent individuals like you into the woods so he could harness your special abilities for his nefarious ends," the light flickered. "Seek refuge in the magical woodland if you want to avoid the darkness. Your escape will be far from easy. You will need every ounce of her bravery and strength to dupe your captors and reach the center of the forest, the one place where the demon's powers can't reach you."

The unexpected light devised a scheme. Whoever was helping me flee the danger knew more about me than I did. My captors did not let me thank my savior. The shadow lifted me off the ground and I complied to his commands. Witnessing my obedience, he released my arm, but followed me closely. I accompanied them to the edge of the forest. Each step tied a tighter knot in my stomach. It was hard to trust someone I never met.

I turned my head to cast an apologetic sight at the burning village. Numerous shadows vanished in dark mists, leaving no trace. Soon, we were six. Five ominous beings and a human. Gazing over the shoulder of the leader, there was no trace of the light.

"Where are you leading me?" I asked, to no one in particular.

"To our world," the leading shadow answered in an emotionless tone.

"Wasn't it faster in that thing?" I insisted, pointing at the swirling void meters behind us.

"Living things can't cross and remain in one piece. We need you alive...for now," the deep glacial voice replied. I discerned annoyance in its tone.

I smirked at the corner of the mouth. I took small victories as they came. Annoying an immortal being, who threatened my life, was the highlight of my day.

"Are we walking to the darkness realm?" I asked, seeking answers.

The shadows stopped their advance and the figure at my left approached. I sensed his murderous intent. "Quiet," the black figure expressed, slapping me on the cheek. The gesture astonished me and I suppressed the retaliation urge of my survival instinct.

"The midnight moon will soon shine upon us," The leading shadow stated. "You three, prepare the summoning circle. Gather the material, do the spell and summon the portal."

Three of the figures disappeared in the blink of an eye. We were nearing the edge of the forest. Where on Earth was that light? I caught myself wondering if the entity decided to abandon the idea of rescuing a poor village girl. I shook my head. Fate was all I had left. The shadows' presence messed with my mind. Negativity rarely got the best of me.

My captors halted their advance a couple of meters away from the woods. They waited for their companions to return. Agitated, I scratched the palm of my hand as a habit. A bad habit, but a habit nonetheless. The wind subsided and the atmosphere became quiet. The dense silence played tricks on my ears. One moment, I jolted for the cracking of a branch, and another for the loud exhaling sound of an impatient shadow.

A rumbling echo got my enemies on alert and the ground shook under our feet. The occurrence destabilized my movements, but I decided to believe it was the light who sent me a signal stating it was time to run away. As his companion searched for the provenance of the disturbance, one shadow followed my desperate flight. When the figure stretched an arm to catch my shoulder, a blinding flash emerged between my pursuer and I. The light had been faithful to his words. I briefly turned to the scene and saw a dazzling light disorienting the shadows.

"Hurry," the voice of the light said in a hushed tone. I blindly obeyed the command of my savior and crossed the line separating the forest from the human village.