Chapter 2: The Enchanted Forest

Eric felt as though he had fallen into a bottomless abyss, surrounded by the mysterious magical power of the rift. His body felt weak, and the enigmatic sounds from the rift still echoed in his mind. In his perception, time and space no longer followed the usual rules. Everything seemed like a dream, yet strangely real.

When he woke again, he found himself in an entirely unfamiliar place.

The view was dim, and Eric struggled to stand up, his eyes scanning the surroundings. Surrounding him was an ancient and eerie forest, with trees that reached into the sky, their canopies blocking the light from above. The trees were tall and ancient, their bark covered in thick moss, bearing the weight of countless years. The tree trunks were straight and sturdy, like the bodies of giants, and their towering canopies cast most of the area in a dense, dark shade. Only faint light filtered through the leaves, casting intricate patterns on the forest floor.

Eric realized he was standing on a bed of thick decomposing leaves and soft moss, and the ground was damp, as if it hadn't seen sunlight in a long time. The air carried a heavy, unsettling moisture, creating an atmosphere of unease that pervaded the entire forest.

The place was eerily quiet, with only the faint sounds of the wind and rustling leaves. Eric stood up cautiously and tried to determine his direction, but there were no obvious paths, and he felt as if he were lost in a mysterious labyrinth.

As he carefully made his way through the ground covered in damp leaves and soft moss, each step created a subtle, damp sound. Moisture lingered in the air, as if it had never left. Eric felt like he was standing in the midst of ancient nature, where every leaf held stories of life, and every tree was the guardian of the forest.

Suddenly, he heard faint sounds in the distance. The sound was like approaching footsteps, yet unusual, more like the rustling of branches. Regardless, it was strange and unsettling.

The sound alternated between near and far, like forest spirits in the distance. Eric's heart quickened, and he couldn't help but look back into the depths of the forest. However, he couldn't see anything clearly. The environment seemed to conceal countless secrets, and he was lost within it, not knowing what he would face. He understood that this forest was full of unknowns, and danger could strike at any moment.

In a heartbeat, a chill washed over him, and Eric felt invisible eyes watching him, as though they penetrated the forest's darkness. The feeling was unsettling, like a lurking nightmare, causing every nerve in Eric's body to tense.

Eric's heart raced in his chest, and he felt helpless and fearful. Suddenly, a bright light flashed, and a girl appeared beside him. She had long, jet-black hair, like the stars in the night sky, and it shone with a healthy luster. Her eyes were bright and deep, as if they were precious gemstones. Her skin had a healthy olive tone, radiating natural glow, as if she were one with nature. Her features were delicate and lively, with a straight nose and rosy lips.

She was wearing an ancient robe that seemed to blend with the forest, and around her neck hung a necklace made of peculiar runes, emitting a faint blue light, as if it were an ancient talisman.

She was Vivian, another chosen one by the Night Spirits, who had arrived in this forest earlier than Eric.

Vivian pulled Eric towards her without hesitation, her movements agile and resolute.

"Hey, be careful," Vivian gently reminded Eric. Her voice was filled with confidence and determination.

Eric felt Vivian's presence was like a breath of fresh air, bringing warmth and comfort. He gazed at her in delight, "Thank you; I almost got caught by it..."

"Don't mention it," Vivian interrupted him. "I'm Victoria Vivian. I'm also one of the chosen by the Night Spirits, and I arrived here a bit earlier than you did. Those are forest creatures, the Frostspirits. You better not get too close to them."

After hearing this, Eric looked confused. He asked, "Night Spirits? Frostspirits? What does all of this mean?"

Vivian glanced back at him, "Not everyone chosen by the Night Spirits survives. From the looks of your confusion, I have no idea how you were chosen."

Eric scratched his head.

Taking a deep breath, Vivian continued to explain, "The Frostspirits, they are the forest's messengers, perhaps born from the cold of the forest. They possess a cold nature and powerful abilities. They can condense cold air at will, turning it into ice and snow, and they can even control the temperature of the surroundings, rapidly cooling the environment. They are the protectors of this forest." Her voice was filled with awe and respect. "These creatures also guard the secrets cherished by the Night Spirits. They consider the forest their territory and hold hostility towards any outsiders. They are formidable beings, so I advise you to tread carefully and not provoke their anger."

Listening to her words, Eric became even more cautious.

This unknown world was filled with dangers and mysteries.

As Vivian carefully opened the lid, Eric was astonished to discover that this was not a pocket watch but a mirror. However, it didn't reflect an ordinary image. Unusually, the mirror gradually revealed the magnificent spectacle of the entire night sky, with stars twinkling like diamonds, and the Big Dipper shining brilliantly like cosmic pearls.

"This is a navigation mirror," Vivian explained. "It can guide us in the right direction, preventing us from getting lost in this forest."

The sight in the mirror was enchanting, as if it were a gateway to the unknown, and the Big Dipper was their faithful guide, quietly pointing the way. Vivian adjusted the mirror, making the Big Dipper shine brightly in a specific direction. That direction seemed to hold secrets and answers.

"Let's go," Vivian turned to face Eric. "Let's head in that direction together."

She pointed towards the direction indicated in the mirror and motioned for Eric to pay attention to the thorny path beside them. "Seemingly dangerous places may be closer to the truth."

With those words, she put the mirror away and stepped into the thorny path.

Eric watched her figure, knowing that they were about to embark on a journey filled with challenges and mysteries. He took a deep breath, brimming with confidence. "I'm here; let's get started."

They ventured onto the thorny path, and the environment suddenly changed, becoming steep and mysterious. The thorny thickets on both sides stood tall with sharp spikes, like the teeth of a dragon, covered in glistening dewdrops that sparkled like sapphires in the faint blue light.

Twisted vines entwined among the thorns, resembling the tentacles of a beast, stretching out and imprisoning the path. Each step required caution to avoid being pricked by the thorns. As Eric and Vivian delved deeper, the density of the thorns seemed to increase continually, leaving almost no space for them to walk side by side.

As they advanced, the path became narrower, and the thorns grew more intimidating, like an impenetrable wall. Every step felt like navigating a forest maze, and the thorny path seemed to have no end, trapping them deep within.

"These thorns are becoming more and more dense," Vivian whispered anxiously. Her voice carried a sense of alertness.

They walked in circles around the thorny path for a long time, but no matter how they progressed, they couldn't find a way out. The thorny walls seemed to grow taller, and the path's winding turns resembled a never-ending maze woven by a malevolent force.

The thorns acted like a thousand ghostly hands, extending all around them, with no room to breathe. Prolonged exposure to the foggy thicket made Eric feel disoriented, and his thoughts became sluggish as his consciousness gradually blurred.

Vivian, too, felt confused and helpless. Her gaze roamed between the thorns, searching for a clue. The thorny path seemed like an inescapable prison, where time lost its meaning in this dimly lit environment.

At this moment, Eric accidentally got pricked in the leg. Blood trickled down from the wound, bringing a sudden clarity to his thoughts. He realized that they might have been here before. He grabbed Vivian's hand, sounding alarmed, "Wait, we're going in circles. We've just been here."

His words cut through the fog of their confusion, and Vivian immediately became alert. She turned around to survey the surroundings, and indeed, the thorns, the vines, everything, seemed identical, as if they had returned to the same spot.

Moisture gathered on Vivian's forehead, uncertainty and bewilderment enveloped her.

Eric's face also revealed concern. Their situation seemed increasingly hopeless. The thorny path was like an endless labyrinth, ensnaring them, and the guidance of the navigation mirror appeared to be less reliable.

Just as they hesitated, a faint, almost imperceptible cry for help emerged from within the thorny wall. The voice seemed to come from the tangled thorns.

Vivian raised her head and listened attentively. Her eyes roamed the thorny wall, attempting to locate the source of the sound.

"Did you hear that?" She asked Eric in a hushed voice, her gaze locked onto the thorny wall.

Eric nodded, his ears also capturing the faint cry for help.

They cautiously pushed aside the thorns, trying to traverse the wall and follow the voice's plea.

As Eric and Vivian struggled to break free, the thorns grew frantic, seemingly reacting to the scent of blood, each of their movements intended to capture more life.

They exerted great effort, striving to protect themselves from being pierced by the thorns. However, the thorns' growth became increasingly frenzied, as if engaged in a merciless battle. The thorns on Eric and Vivian's limbs also started struggling more intensely, making their predicament even deeper.

With each step they took through the wall of thorns, they finally glimpsed the trapped individual. He was quite plump, tightly ensnared by thorns, contorted within them. The sight was horrifying.

"Please wait, we'll be there to rescue you soon!" Vivian called out loudly, even as she struggled.

The man's breathing was faint, but he remained composed. "Thank you, please be careful of these thorns; they have a terrible temper."

However, Eric and Vivian's situation became more precarious, as the thorns tightly bound their legs and twisted them into painful positions.

"Wait, this isn't right," Eric realized the issue and immediately stopped. "I think, perhaps we shouldn't struggle violently; it might harm us. Faced with these injured thorns, maybe they require gentle handling."

Eric gently touched the thorns wrapped around his leg. He approached them like he was communicating with a mischievous child. His fingers caressed the thorns with gentleness and care, as if conveying a friendly message. The thorns seemed to respond to this touch and gradually ceased their violent struggle.

This scene felt like a miracle. Eric's gentle touch parted the thorns, as if he were engaging in a subtle dialogue with the power of nature. The thorns no longer seemed hostile; they quietly withdrew, providing Eric with enough space.

Vivian watched Eric's approach and, with some trepidation, ceased her own struggle. She realized that her arm's thorns were slowly stopping their resistance, no longer posing a threat to them.

"I see," she murmured softly. She felt a deeper understanding of this mysterious thorn wall. Perhaps it was a way to live in harmony with nature.

They continued to make gentle progress, delicately parting the thorns. Now, the thorns appeared much tamer and no longer posed a threat to them.

"What's your name?" Eric asked curiously.

The man smiled as he responded, "I'm Mio Hyde."

Eric Stone, Victoria Vivian, and Mio Hyde helped each other get their bearings and prepared to continue. They needed to find an exit from this mysterious thorny path and secure some food to fill their empty stomachs.

Throughout the journey, they cautiously navigated the thorns. Remarkably, the thorns seemed to be friendlier now, no longer the threat they had been. Their gentleness and understanding had possibly transformed this place, making it more accepting of them.

Mio Hyde carefully tucked away the peculiar coin he had found, still unaware of its connection to his bizarre experience. However, he knew that this coin might hold the key to solving his mystery.

Finally, they saw light at the end of the path, and the landscape underwent a dramatic transformation. They had left the thorny path behind and entered a lush meadow, feeling a sense of space and freedom. The journey had left them feeling as though they had escaped some kind of imprisonment, and they were now surrounded by life and hope.