Chapter 3 - The Awakening Flames part 2

Later that day, Henry and Asher sat in Henry's room, discussing their plans for the future.

Asher shared his intentions with Henry, saying, "As soon as I can control my magic, we'll leave."

"Leave? But where will we go?" Henry inquired, taken aback.

"To find Neverland," Asher replied, surprising Henry with his newfound belief.

"Find Neverland? Are you kidding me? You used to say that you didn't believe in that kind of stuff. What changed?" Henry asked, puzzled.

"The old man told me that it exists and that the disasters in Mist Haven and Silver Brook were evil attacks, not natural disasters," Asher explained.

"If what you're saying is true, then they're going to pay for this," Henry replied in a rage, fueled by a desire for justice.

"Just one week from now, and then we'll leave to find them," Asher confirmed, determined to pursue this newfound path.

"You focus on learning how to control your magic, okay? I'll read some books about medicine," Henry proposed, eager to contribute in his way.

"Okay."

The week passed swiftly, and now Asher had gained some control over his flames, being able to use them for a short period. Henry, on the other hand, had learned some first-aid techniques from the old man, preparing himself for the journey ahead.

The time had finally come for them to leave EverGreen and embark on their journey to find Neverland. On April 13th, exactly one month after the disaster in Mist Haven, Asher and Henry prepared to depart. However, before they could set off, the old man called them over.

In a sad tone, he addressed them, "Hey, both of you, come here and listen."

Asher replied, "Coming, sensei."

Sitting down with the old man, he began imparting his wisdom, "What you're about to do won't be easy, so don't lose hope and follow my teachings. Avoid fighting opponents who are stronger than you as much as you can. And finally, I have something for you."

Both friends nodded attentively, promising to heed his advice. "Okay, sensei. Don't worry. Yes, tell us what it is," they responded eagerly.

The old man then presented a katana to Asher and a bag of medicines to Henry. "Here they are. They will help you on your journey."

"Thank you so much, sensei," Asher expressed his gratitude.

"No need for thanks. Just come back alive. That's enough for me," the old man replied with sincerity.

With their gifts in hand and hearts filled with determination, Asher and Henry picked up their luggage, took some water and food, and set out on their journey.

Leaving EverGreen behind, their first plan was to return to Mist Haven and investigate what had happened there. They hoped to find clues about Neverland. Riding the horses provided by the old man, they set off towards Mist Haven, eager to uncover the truth and fulfil their destiny.

After a while, they arrived and got off their horses. What they witnessed was incredibly scary. The entire river had dried up, ashes covered everything, and there were lifeless bodies and bloodstains on the walls. The once beautiful flower garden in the centre of town now looked like a frightening scene, with burned bodies of men, women, and children.

There was no sign of life, only crows feasting on the corpses. Some bodies hung strangely in the middle of the flower garden. Tears welled up in Asher's eyes uncontrollably.

Reaching their home, they found nothing but a massive black rock amidst the ashes. Something odd caught their attention—the same unusual footprints Henry had noticed the day before the disaster. The footprints were scattered everywhere.

Henry after seeing the footprints "I remember these footprints."

"Where did you see them before?"

"I saw them behind our house, and I told you about them in the factory, remember? "

Asher pauses and thinks "Yeah I do remember, why don't we follow them? Let's see where they lead."

"It might be dangerous, but we don't have any other choice. Let's do it."

They began to follow the footprints and soon realized they were in an unknown place.

"Have you been to this place before?" Asher questioned

"No I haven't, But I've heard about it—a vast dark forest full of scary creatures and monsters."

"I see. So, it means the footprints belong to one of those beasts or monsters."

"Yes, I think so. I've also heard they are incredibly strong and merciless, killing both humans and other creatures."

"We need to be extremely cautious, then."

"Hmm."

They began moving again when suddenly they heard a creature screeching. They quickly turned around and saw a beast leaping towards them.

In an instant, it stood before them with a massive, muscular body, long hair on its arms and chest, razor-sharp claws, and bloody teeth, and let out a deafening screech

Asher unsheathed his katana, In an instant, the fearsome creature stood before them with a massive, muscular body. Long hair adorned its arms and chest, and its razor-sharp claws glinted ominously in the moonlight. Bloody teeth protruded from its menacing jaw as it let out a deafening screech. Reacting swiftly, Asher unsheathed his katana.

Asher immediately commanded, "Stay back, Henry."

Henry, overwhelmed with fear, urged, "Run! We can't defeat it."

"But," Henry began to protest, but the beast attacked before he could finish his sentence. Asher swung his katana, attempting to strike the creature's hand, but it proved as hard as a rock, leaving no scratch.

The beast's powerful strike sent both of them flying into the depths of the forest. Gasping for breath, they sustained injuries, with blood dripping from Asher's head and Henry nursing wounds on his back.

Amid the pain, Henry asked Asher, "Are you okay?"

Asher, with a murmur, replied, "Yes, I'm fine. There's no way my katana can pierce its skin."

"If we want to survive, we need to run," Henry insisted.

"So what are you waiting for? Run!" Asher urged.

They both scrambled to their feet, and with the beast in hot pursuit, they sprinted desperately. In their flight, they stumbled upon a small cave.

"Quickly, get into the damn cave!" Asher panted, his breath ragged...

*****