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~` Chapter Seventeen `~

Whispers, endlessly caressing the travelers, seemed to come from all sides, emitting from the leaves that lifted high from their branches and blocked out most of the sunlight above. Every so often, though, a sparkling fragment of nature’s illumination would come down upon the world, break past the dense canopy, and trickle down onto those who sought out its graces; it was a peaceful feeling, the warmth it brought, but it was solitary, confined, and far from its home - soon to be consumed by the darkness that thrived atop the earth: a prayer answered, and then taken away.

Eyes watched the path that crept through the forest’s thick brush, and they flickered every so often, as if adjusting themselves for a better view; they were multiplying as the six adventurers lurked beside them, a small lantern guiding them: it was but a false show of leadership. Although it’s light was sometimes commented by the sun itself, the isolated flame, burning inside the metal exterior, was not enough to shine more than a few feet ahead, making it almost a necessity for those who craved safety to watch what they were doing; else they, too, would be devoured by the shadows, and lost forever.

Anthoni made sure that they had enough oil to last their journey through the trees, and, if needed, up the mountain and into its caves; however, he had not been sure of the exact amount of time he would be spending inside of the vast expanse, so he wondered if he had taken the proper precautions. ‘Will the fire burn away?’ he thought to himself. ‘Will our mission end here?’ Countless thoughts diminished his confidence as they continued onwards, never stopping to talk or rest, and never stopping to examine the creatures, which seemed to, as if with God’s mercy, surround them, but not wander into their path.

23-May-2009 01:32:37

CaptChekaka

Posts: 35,595 Sapphire Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

The silence did little to ease their conscience - any of theirs - and it tormented them with its lasting approach. No one spoke, as Anthoni noted, and only the light that brightened their way seemed to hold any glimpse of hope; the six faces, though, held looks of distress and fear. Even Brexton, who had made it clear that he feared no man, allowed himself to drift into a sense of uneasiness as they walked on. He had heard of the legends, respected their meaning, and even feared the events, but, as all do with legends, he wondered whether or not it was true. His thoughts ravaged him on the inside, and he grimaced as his ideas turned to the worst ending imaginable: a gruesome death at the hands of demons, as one story spoke.

Townspeople from all around knew of the legacy of the wood: its careful, almost soft, appearance, its deathly chill, its twisted features - the whole of it. None stepped into it without full knowledge of the risk they were holding themselves to, and even fewer stepped out of it with knowledge of what the risk truly was. *Could they be trusted, though?’ Brexton thought to himself, edging closer and closer to Anthoni, his staff erect. ‘They say that men have gone insane in this place; did they see only hallucinations?’ His questions, though, went unanswered while his mind tried to logically secure an answer; but it was pointless - the damage had been done.

In the midst of their frustration, though, the light in front of them stopped; their attention turned to Anthoni, who was now staring to his side. A sliver of the flame’s luminescence caught his face, and it revealed him to be deep in thought, or, as some would think, fearing what was beside them. His face contorted into an unknowing expression, and he stepped carefully away from the siding of the walkway.

“Move,” he commanded, not looking towards the others.

Maxwell’s voice broke the silence in a frail whisper. “Why, Anthoni?”

23-May-2009 01:33:51

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~` Illusions `~