Chapter 76:Grand Cherry Forest

A long journey awaited him ahead, through the forests of Kaedwen, through the rivers that flow in different directions, where the beast could jump from behind every bush through the nights and days.

No matter what tried to stop him, there was nothing that could have prevented him from reaching his final destination.

August travelled through the borders of the Kaedwen, Aedirn and Temeria. It took August several weeks, but finally, he was nearing the forest that carried the name of Grand Cherry.

The forest was located near no man's land, where humans never dared to put their footprints. It is located right by the border of the dryad forest—Brokilon forest, a place only where human presence was something from the fairy tales.

Forest, where creatures have long gone from the mainland, was still present. But for now, his destination didn't lead him to the forest of death. He was searching for something in the Grand Cherry forest.

…

The strong smell of cherry tree rushed right into his nose, filling all of his senses. The situation was strange since before the forest, and there was nothing of that sort of smell. The smell of the cherry tree could only be felt inside the forest. One step out, and nothing would be able to reach your senses.

August proceeded to walk in the forest's depths along with the Moon, which seemed too calm for his normal character. His muscles were relaxed, and it almost seemed like nothing in this world could bother him.

The longer they travelled, the more August felt how the scene in front of him kept repeating repeatedly. Like a recorded piece of life played in the victim's mind to confuse him and avoid a stranger's presence here.

Feeling strange, August turned around and left the forest. However, to leave the woods that they had walked for several hours only took them 10 minutes. This was proof that someone was messing with them.

August decided to take a different approach and entered the forest again to discover more about this place. Walking inside the forest, August looked around, searching for the one making the loop that he was being trapped inside. But no matter how long he tried to observe the surroundings, nothing appeared that caught his attention. Having no other options, he inhaled lungs full of air and released a deep and loud shout, «SHOW YOURSELF.»

As soon as he did, he heard how his voice started to echo around the forest, going from a powerful to weak and brief somewhere in the distance. With a sigh, August was able to turn around to look for something else to try to enter the protected place.

Before walking away, he heard how a quiet voice calls his name.

«August»

When his eyes looked in the direction of the voice, there was nothing there.

«August»

His name started to echo around the forest from all the directions that possible, confusing August with the situation he was facing.

But that didn't last long. He heard a giggle with his eyes running from one place to another like a fast cheetah.

It didn't take long before a lot of giggles surrounded August. Having little patience to deal with them, while their giggles were getting on his nerves, he said loudly, «Stop hiding like a coward! Show yourself and look me in the eyes.»

Giggles stopped, and the forest started to drown in the silence. August concentrated on the sound that was coming from all around. Listening for long enough, he heard how the wings were clapping. It didn't sound like bird wings, and it didn't sound like a butterfly.

Closing his eyes, August grasped his bow and started aiming in the direction of the sounds. Before releasing an arrow toward the creature, he heard a scream, «Stop, stop, stop. Don't do that. No need for violence.»

A creature size of book descended from the trees above in front of his eyes. It had the wings of a butterfly colour of green. Eyes unlike human ones, the entire eye was colour of purple without iris or pupil presence.

It was nobody else but a fairy. Fairies were a rare occurrence in the world. They were not like monsters since they were creatures of a different existence. They were creatures that represent the elemental plane of existence, so unlike monsters that came to this world from their original worlds, fairies were someone special.

They were mainly non-aggressive towards anyone but didn't like the intruders that would break the balance and peace in their homes. They were creatures that cherished nature and had little concern about the human world.

«What do you need from us! You were the one to try and walk inside our forest, yet you are the one threatening us.» Complained fairy with her voice very high and thin; it almost sounded like one of a bird.

«You were the one to try to stop me,» said August, without any remorse for the threats.

The fairy said with a tired voice with her small finger pointing at August and somewhat frustrated face, «You humans are always selfish and care about nothing but your punny life. What have we done to you that you come here and start to threaten my sisters and me? One race was not enough for your kindness to satisfy their bloodthirsty needs, and now you are aiming at someone you don't like?»

«I'm here for your help, not to exterminate your kind, " responded August, interrupting the fairy while she was in the rush of complaints and imagining how August was cutting their entire population down.

«Oh, then it is alright», spoke the fairy, before clapping her hands and, with a smile on her face, inquiring «, So? What do you need help with?»

August thought and replied, «I need your help with something specific. Do you have someone like a leader in your community?»

«Huh? Of course, we do!» Replied the fairy before tilting her head to the side, inquiring, «But why do you need to see her?»

August didn't want to waste time talking about the problem he was facing with some random fairy that didn't influence their community, so talking with her will be a waste of time that he had no desire to lose over weightless words.

"Come on, spit it out, human!" continued the fairy. "Do you need me to steal some teeth from your children? Maybe I should bless your lady for a successful future so love can bloom within both of you? Oh, I know! Maybe you want me to complete your wishes?" as soon as such a bright idea hit her mind, she smiled widely, but it didn't last long before the smile faded away, and with a disappointment in her voice, she said, "Ah, such a tragedy! I can't fulfil wishes, I'm sorry."

With a serious face, August looked right in her eyes and said, "Can we skin the part where I have to talk about the things that don't matter now, and you will lead me to your community. I will swear on the Witcher name that I will never threaten your community to ease your mind."

Fairy froze for a second, having no words to argue with, and after a few seconds of awkward silence, nodded her head, gesturing for August to follow her.

They walked in silence through the bushes of different plants and the beautifully lined alley, all made of cherry trees. They walked for about 20 minutes before walking out of the forest, on the plain field surrounded by the forest.

There you could see a lot of creatures, not only fairies but also someone other than them. Many flowers were growing all over the place, colouring the area into myriads of colours and making it like a fairy tale.

August proceeded to walk behind the fiery to meet the one in charge of everyone in this place. Slowly he approached something that looked like a village where they lived. Above the heads, a huge tree grew in the middle, unlike others. Light particles fell down from the tree, making it look magical and mysterious.

In size, the tree looked like it went up in the sky for about 600-800 meters, making it almost impossible to see the top up there in the sky.

All August could do was stare at the sky, having no clue about the origin of such an anomaly and how it was hidden from all the world since outside of the forest, this place doesn't exist.

Admiring a plant size of a mountain, August took a deep breath to open up more shocking news and mysteries today when he will have a conversation with the one inc charge of such a community.

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Aaaaand another one is here for all of you to read and enjoy.

Thanks for reading and thanks for all the power stones in advance.

I will get back to work.