Chapter 3

"Okay!" Lolita yelled out in excitement as she punched the air above. "Right at this moment, we have taken our first step in becoming adults!"

"Ehhh?! That's what you're after?" Chang'e interrupted her.

Lolita flipped her hair and held her waist. With her one free hand, she held her chin and smiled.

"As we venture into the Enchanted Forest, we'll become stronger and grow better! And by the time we reach Nana's homeland, we'll become certified and qualified mages and support!" she said.

"I do get excited because of this but where do we get some food? I'm hungry," Nana remarked.

"We knew it would come to this so Harley and I got to find some wild fruits," Harith said as they laid a dozen of different fruits.

"Dig in, little magicians!" Nana claimed as each of them grab some food.

"Do you know where the hometown of the Leonins is located?" Chang'e asked after taking a bite of her food.

Lolita held her jaw as if thinking deep. She opened her eyes and snapped her fingers. "Nope!"

"Ain't that also a good adventure?" Harith said. "If we know where the heart of the Enchanted Forest is, it'll be easy for us to find it."

"But Ms. Lunox said that there are monstrous creatures lurking at the boundaries of the Enchanted Forest's heart. It could be dangerous if we suddenly go in unprepared," Nana added.

Harley smirked.

"Hmph!" he scoffed. "Have you forgotten that you're with the greatest mage of Lion Academy? A genius at that."

Harith rolled his eyes and said, "You're just a tiny insect against the monsters in this forest."

Harley scoffed and replied, "I ain't going to fight alone. You won't just be standing there and watch me fight, will you?"

"I'm willing to watch you die," Harith replied. The two glared at each other and a spark of rivalry seem to appear.

"Stop it, you two," Lolita said. "Okay, Ms. Lunox did mention the existence of dangerous creatures here. But the question is, are they really real or are they just made up to scare us from entering the Enchanted forest?"

"There's only one way to find out," Nana gulped, feeling a chill run down her spine.

"We've got to remain alert at all times," Harith said. "Whatever we see in there, we'll have to doubt its existence."

"We've got to stick together, no one leaves the group without saying a word," Harley added.

"Roger that!" everyone agreed as they all face the forest where trees are already dense and only few rays of sunlight could pass through the leaves.

"Let our adventure begin," Harith and Harley claimed as they walked towards the dense and enchanted forest.

"It seems to be just a normal forest," Chang'e commented. "Trees, trees and more trees. Insects, birds and some animals."

"That makes it even more suspucious," Lolita said.

They walk in a slower pace so they could scan the vicinity, trying to sense anything out of the ordinary. They are feeling the cold and calm air. The silence of the forest made them even more aware. The only noise they could hear is the noise made by nature, proving that there is no human being living in that mystical forest.

"Is there really no turning back?" Nana asked as she hugs herself, feeling uneasy with the environment. Harith held her hand and tightens his grip.

"We're all here to guard each other's back so do not worry much," he said, making her feel at ease somehow.

With Harley on the lead, he suddenly held out his right hand and hushed everybody.

"I hear something," he said.

Everyone didn't dare move an inch. It was as if only their own heartbeat is what they could hear. The bushes in front of Harley moved. He gripped his wand and got himself ready, recalling every spell that he could appropriately use on whatever trouble they are about to face.

The leaves shuffled once again which made them hold their breath. A creature suddenly leaped out from the bushes and Harley points his wand towards it and was about to cast a spell but he managed to stop when he saw a bunny.

Everyone lets out a relieved sigh and caught their breath.

"Okay, that wasn't funny," Chang'e commented.

"Let's get going," Lolita suggested.

"Let's find a place where we could camp on for the night. It would be dangerous for us to roam around during the dark," Harith said.

They walked another hour and managed to find a good place to temporarily stay on.

"Okay, division of labor. Nana and Harith, you two go and find some food and clean water. Chang'e and Lolita, you two come with me and let's make an improvised bed. Now, spread out!" Harley instructed and everyone followed through.

"Hey, Harith!" he called out. The two Leonins looked at him in curiosity.

"Don't go too far from here. Send some signal if an emergency occurs," he said.

"I know that, dumbass," Harith replied as he drags Nana away.

Harley initiated to get some sturdy branches, Lolita gathered some wide and big leaves while Chang'e got some tree saps.

"Harley, what is the sap for?" Chang'e asked as she made some cuts on a tree trunk. She used a wide, thick and greeny leaf to store the sap.

"We'll spread it on the tree trunks where our bed is to be tied onto. It serves as an adhesive that would stop crawling insects on reaching the improvised bed," Harley replied.

"How'd you know a lot about these kind of things anyway?" Lolita asked.

"My sister and I usually go camping if we got some time. She taught me the basics," he replied.

The sun started to set which is a signal for them to do things quicker. Harith and Nana came back with enough portion of food and water for everyone. They all worked together to make their natural beddings.

"Okay, for the finishing touch," Harley said.

"Huh?" Nana mumbled, "We're not done yet?"

"I've got to do some magic so we will remain undisturbed by dangerous creatures," he stated.

Everyone stared at him, waiting and wondering what he is going to do.

"On this night,

I invoke the powers of fire to protect us from all that could harm us."

As Harley speaks every word of his spell, the cold air started to feel warm around them. The wind blew a bit stronger around their place. After a while, the cold wind returned back to normal and the air had calmed.

"We're done," Harley said.

The five of them gathered around the fireplace and had some dinner.

"Won't the smoke attract attention?" Nana asked.

"Nah," Harley replied with ease. "My spell may only last in one night but it's effective and strong enough to repel danger. Trust me."

"And if we're attacked, we'll have to sacrifice him and save our lives," Harith added after drinking some water.

"That sounds fair enough," Harley smirked.

A/N:

The spells aren't mine. Credits to J.K Rowling and to the rightful owner of the spells I've used.