Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Trial and Judgment ❯ Embracing the Forest ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

The Forest of Revenge just saying the name of this forest sends cold chills down the back of the most feared warriors. The forest is home to spirits that can't enter the spirit world until they have finished whatever they need to upon earth. It is home to many creatures that would love to feed upon a human's sweet flesh. This forest is where we find Maxwell.

The sky was pitch black, and big grey clouds’ now cover the sky like a grey blanket. The bright stars that normally cover the sky were nowhere to be seen. There was supposed to be a full moon tonight but the clouds have blocks the brightest of the moons to be seen. The lush green leaves of the oak trees, sways back and forth as a cool breeze that would send a bone-chilling tingle down one's back blows. The lush dark green grass is soft as the world's finest silk. Maxwell found himself at the entrance of the Forest of Revenge as the cool breeze blew his reddish hair and a trench coat some. He reaches his right hand over his shouldering, touching the hilt of the sword he brought, making sure that it was still there. He sighs some as he looks at the Forest of Revenge "Well it's now or never.", He said as he walks into the forest. He continues walking through the forest taking note of every tree as each one was different in it's on special way. He would stop as he places his hand upon the trunk of one of the massive trees "Hmm . . . I totally forgot to ask Lazuli where this little gathering is going to be held within this stupid forest. What and idiot.", He said calmly to himself. Even though he didn't like to admit it but he had no idea where he was going. He thought about what he had just said as he begins to laugh out loud. His voice carrying throughout the whole forest, birds that were perched on nearby trees flapped their wings as they soar out of the forest disturb by the man's laughter.

Meanwhile, deeper within the forest King Nirattaech, Lazuli and four other people who were each wearing a dark color cloak that kept their figure hidden were talking about something.

"I wonder if he will really show milords.", Lazuli said calmly, looking at King Nirattaech.

"He has to come and when I tell him why I had summon him to this place. He would surely be interested." The King said in a calm voice.

"But milords tell me. Why are they needed here?",he said referring to the four cloaked figures that were standing right beside the king.

The tallest of the four cloaked figures stepped towardly, as the other three figures stood where they were. It lower it's head as a few strands of light brown hair brush the sides of its cheeks, its' lips begin to curl as it begins to speak, of course you couldn't see this action" The King summoned us to test Maxwell. To see if he still good as he once was.", its' voice had a German accent to it, stepping back to where it once was.

King Nirattaech arch. his brow some as he watched the tallest of the four figures speak, since it was awkward for that one to speak. He simply nodded at the one's words as his lips begin to curl" Yes that is true this gathering is all but a test for Maxwell.", He said in a calm voice. A cold gust of wind came out of nowhere as the dark colors of cloaks of the figures blew wildly, sending chills down Nirattaech and Lazuli's spine, but it seemed that the four cloaked figures weren't affected.

Lazuli scratched his head little as he tries to process what he had just heard "Milord what is so important that Maxwell is needed to be tested?", he asked. Lazuli was still trying to figure out what all of this was about since the king didn't bother telling him when he was sent to Maxwell's house. He turns his attention to the king, waiting for an answer.

King Nirattaech sighs deeply "You will find out all in due time my friend. But for now lets provide some kind of signal to help Maxwell finds exactly where we are.", He said in a calm voice" And I would suggest you four get into positions.", He said looking at the four cloak figures.

The four cloak figures nods their heads in unison as they seem to disappear from the area. Nirattaech and Lazuli then started to make a small fire so that Maxwell could find his way.

Meanwhile, Maxwell had walked deeper within the forest going east, well at least that what he thought. He had a small cut on his left cheek that was bleeding crimson red blood slowly, it stung some but that was mostly it. He had gotten the cut from walking into a tree branches which seem to come out of nowhere.

Maxwell continues to walk in the forest, his nose twitches some as the smell of smoke filled his nostrils "What's that burning?", he thought to himself. His light red eyes looked in the direction of where the smoke was coming from. They tall greyish tower of smoke rose above the trees. "I guess that's my signal to the party.", he said with a smirk, he moved his right hand to the sword that was on his back as he straightens it back up. He looks west in the direction the smoke was coming from as he begins to walk in that direction. The further he walked in the direction of the smoke pushing pass branches and other stuff out of his way. "It would seem that the further I walk in this direction the thicker the brushes get.",He thought to himself.

He would then come to a clearing as he stands in the center of it, he looks in the direction of the smoke "Seems like I'm still far away.", He said to himself. Unknowing to Maxwell there were a pair of light green eyes watching his every move since he began to walk in the direction of the rising smoke. Maxwell not knowing that someone or something was watching him, having stop for a short rest and was now beginning to head out of the cleared area. There was a large crack to the east of where Maxwell was standing, he turns his head in the direction of the sound as his eyes widen "Holy Hell!", he said to himself. The huge tree was falling in his direction, he quickly jumps back drawing the sword upon his back from it's binding, as he barely escapes death. The crashing of the tree upon the ground echo through the whole forest, causing birds to scatter and ground animals to run for cover.

His eyes now narrowed he knew that he wasn't alone, a strange smell of sulfur ran across his nose, it seems that it was coming from the direction of where the tree had originally stood at. Maxwell gripped the brown hilt of his sword tighter as he looks to right of him. There was a movement within the shadow of the forest as a pair of light glowing eyes stares at Maxwell, the one who had dodged the fallen tree.

"Who are you show your self!” he shouted, noticing the light-green eyes that seem to glow within the dark. The owner of the light green eyes slowly walked out into the clearing letting the light of the full moon reveal who or what it was "Ah, so it seems you haven't lost you skill of dodging things.", It said with a ghostly voice. The figure that was standing at the entrance of the forest to the right of Maxwell stood at a mere 5'10 and one could guess it weighed no more than 190lbs. It well tones body structure and face structure resembles that of a male, it's shoulder length black hair hung in a one big braids that extend passes its shoulders. Everything upon this figure seems normal well at least most of it did, it's glossy dark green lips and seamless endless color fingernails where slender and very pointed at the end, almost like the tip of a needle.

Maxwell studied the disgusting figure that was standing before him as he wonders how it knew his name "Eh? The freak circus left awhile back too bad you missed it.", He said making fun of the thing appearance" Since you somehow know my name . . . what might your name be? If you even got one."

The thing tilts its head as it listens to the man's words "My name is Zinc of the terrible four. And how I know, your name is none of your business. And for your little smart comment you will see who the freak is after this fight to the death!", he said in a ghostly voice. Zinc takes three steps forward, with each step his frame swayed like a drunken man "One, two, three!", he said, on the last step. His body would seem to disappear from existence to the normal human eyes, but Maxwell was not normal.

His eyes followed the basketball size craters that Zinc was causing as it came closer to him. He tightens his grip on the jet-black sword that was slightly curved at the end of it. On the right side of the blade there were four rune stones four inches apart from each other. Maxwell lower his body as he raises both of his hands over his head, leaving the curved end of the blade to rest in the palm of his other hand, as soon as he did this. Zinc would appear in midair as he does a front flip, sending his needle like fingernails clashing against the blade.

The force of Zinc's attack caused Maxwell's knees to buckle under him. Maxwell grits his teeth as he tries to push Zinc off of him, he let out a scream as the pressure of Zinc's nails manage to pierce his skin as it slice Maxwell's skin to the beginning of his nose. A sick, disgusting smile manifest on Zinc's face "Ah the sweet smells of blood, so pleasant.", He said, still pressing down on Maxwell's blade.

Maxwell ignored the pain as he begins to push Zinc off of him, Zinc eyes widen as Maxwell pushed him off sending him twirling in the air. Maxwell uses this chance to make his strike he pushes off his left foot springing up in the air, he brings the tip of his sword to the left shoulder as he slashes it downward at Zinc's neck. Zinc panics as he sees that Maxwell had gotten higher in the air than he has "No I can’t be d...", His words were cut off, as Maxwell sword slices straight through his neck cutting Zinc's head clean off.

Maxwell lands on the ground facing toward the east of the forest, as Zinc's head and body fell few feet behind him. The head rolls few inches when it hit the ground, blood still pouring out of the motionless body, soaking the ground. He turns around and walks toward the alone head "Hmm . . . how you were talking I would be the one to die tonight but, it seems you couldn't fulfill that. Here is a little tip try and keep your head on straight." He said a walking pass the head and body, heading where the smoke was still rising above the trees. The wound he had received from the fight, continues to bleed as he heads deeper within the forest, the sword still in hand.

End of Chapter