Strangely Familiar - The Stolen Fate | On Hold

Chapter 11 (II)

The same night: 

A camp near the Forest.

Samraat stepped inside the groove of the forest, his eyes wide with wonder and fright. He had never seen so many hues of green, so many shades and shapes of leaves, so many textures, and smells of foliage. But the sun was setting, and the twilight creeping in was beginning to cast a different kind of light on the landscape. 

The night bugs had already started their baleful lullaby, a sound he found both comforting and unsettling. He had come here against his better judgment, spurred by an uncontrollable urge to find weapons to protect himself and his family. He felt a weight in his heart as if his life was being consumed by an ominous presence that he could not comprehend. He did not know what to expect, but he had to press on. He walked deeper into the forest, his footsteps measured and cautious.

The sky was painted in shades of pink and orange, the last rays of sunlight dancing on the canopy of trees. The trees were tall and strong, their trunks covered in thick moss and vines. A soft breeze whistled through the branches, carrying with it a distinctive smell that Samraat found oddly comforting.

He and Rahil Kazmi had been camping right outside the giant forest in a small cabin ever since his sister left the Magic Facility Point. He knew Naina was so headstrong and reckless, but he could not believe that she would put her life in danger like this for an Immortal. Again. Bran may have been courteous with them but he had a fiery temper. There was no telling how he would have reacted once he found out that Naina knew about the Nova Queen's whereabouts and fled purposely without informing. 

"Stupid... stupid move," With a sharp grumble of frustration, Samraat slashed his way through the thick undergrowth. 

He stopped ranting the moment he saw a beautiful view in front of him. 

But all beautiful things are disastrous. He reminded himself. 

He had heard of the Primordial Space in the woods of Spectral bi-verse long before he stepped foot into it. He had heard tales from the old ones during his stay in Magic Facility Point about containing strange artifacts, strong enough to bring down even the most powerful of magical creatures, beings, and Immortals. He had come here seeking such artifacts, but what he found was more than he had ever imagined. As he stepped inside, he felt a chill pass through him as the immense power of the place reverberated within him.

All around him, there were strange and wondrous things that caught his eye. There were rare and exotic plants, which seemed to glow in the faint light that permeated the air. At the side, he saw a beautiful fountain that seemed to have appeared from the depth of the Earth. Its waters seemed to be flowing up, rather than down, as if they had been enchanted.

In the centre, he saw a large open book, inscribed with strange symbols, glowing with an ethereal blue light. He was tempted to open it and see what secrets it held, but he resisted, not wanting to disturb the magical energy of the space. He felt a pull at his heart as if the place had been designed to welcome him and was immediately drawn to a wooden camouflaged shelf that contained a variety of strange and powerful artifacts. Upon closer inspection, he saw that each of these items contained incredible magic.

He picked up a small, black crystal and felt a surge of energy within it. He knew that it contained a powerful spell, but he had no idea what the spell was or what it could do. He quickly put it back where it belonged, not wanting to disturb its power.

Further inspection revealed a small box, containing a strange mixture of herbs and stones. He had no idea what the combination could do, but he knew that it was special, and he decided that he must take it with him.