The Arcadia Chronicles III: Wood Elf Quest

The Cursed Forest Of Jou'nkophal

Third person's POV

After three days of riding straight, the army stopped before the forest. The places they've passed by, despite that not a single soul is living, was brimming with nature's life. But the forest, where the castle is located deep inside, is covered with unusual darkness despite that it's still midday.

The Elves, who could see and sense the aura lingering on the place, felt uneasy. Izanami, who is on the lead, thought as he looks closely at the god-forsaken forest We did come this far, even though I knew the history of this place, this is beyond what I'm expecting.

Kiyan and the others, stared at the place. Axel said aloud first What's with this forest? It's creepy! Sylvia turned off the motorcycle engine then took a few pictures of the forest.

Alexander commented gamely I bet there a lot more monsters lurking in there. Anastasia gulped nervously at his statement.

Liliana sighed This is no time saying that, 'Lex.

Meanwhile, Wilhelmina is sweating What's with this place?! It's brimming black magic that's more sinister than Mother's or that Vraglynio's! Just how evil does black magic go? Lief looks at her Hey, witch girl.

Wilhelmina's eye twitched twice on what he called her, he continued You look pale, are you afraid? Wilhelmina answered A little, this place is overwhelming with black magic that it bothers me. Lief grunted Why would you be bothered? You have the same power of a witch.

I may have but it's incomplete, I'm afraid that something will happen.

By incomplete, you mean...

A black magic user has to perform rituals for the black magic to be more poweful but I don't do such things.

Lief said Then I won't ask for more, it's better if I know nothing.

Wilhelmina thought dryly I can't tell if this guy is concerned or not.

Izanami turned to the army We'll proceed in here but let's make our pace slow and quiet and keep an eye out for anything suspicious.

At this the army urged their horses to walk in the woods. Axel asked Sylvia He said slow and quiet, this iron horse is quite noisy, Miss. Sylvia grinned Just leave it to me. She pressed a few buttons on the dashboard before turning on the engine There, the engine is in an ultra silent mode.

The sound of the engine is reduced to humming sounds; with Sylvia and Axel last in line, they entered the forest.

Every person felt tense and uneasy as they trotted by, the darkness of the forest is making their minds run wild like they're seeing something or someone peeping out at them from the trees or they mistakenly thought seeing specters when the mist on the ground rolls into grotesque shapes.

Elsa, Dianne, and Anastasia felt goosebumps as they went along. Janus and Axel's teeth are chattering with fear, Kiyan and Lief had cold sweat rolling down their faces. Sylvia's nervousness is removed when she played a music in her helmet, and the leaders and Erica kept their cool but had their senses sharp for anything unusual.

Meanwhile, Wilhelmina is pale and her breathing is those of a terrified individual, her eyes slightly widened What's with this black magic? They're speaking to me! With the black magic in the air, and the dark magic within her, she could hear ominous voices from out of the thin air, whispering to her in a language she can't understand.

She could feel her mana stirring in response to the black magic around her, she began to shiver I-I-I have to control myself or I'll find myself back like I was...in Neseri Town. Stein noticed her trembling and ragged breathing What's wrong, Wilhelmina? She got startled by Stein's voice that he got surprised as well What's wrong?