𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒 || skz

CHAPTER 2: ON THE RIGHT PATH

There was a reason that Seungmin much preferred cities or towns to the forest. And he much preferred to travel along the trading routes rather than trekking through the forest like this. The trading route followed a road through the moon fields, leading up to Mondum where it split to the east and west; the west leading towards the Sysiweald and the Gangjeon ruins while the east lead towards Avaweald and the castle of Serenn.

The route Seungmin was following right now was through less traveled paths, most of the road covered by thick underbrush and shrubbery. This really wasn't his strong suit. He was supposed to sneak through alleyways and effortlessly infiltrate businesses. He wasn't the forest type, nor was he the fast traveler between him and his brother. He had never had to be that before.

But he really needed to be it right now. People who he might consider friends were in danger and he had promised to stay away, to not hurt them more. He had made that promise to Felix and to himself. He couldn't go back on a promise.

He had changed.

Shaking his head to himself, he paused for a moment and pulled out the vial of blood.

As much as he despised Eunkyung, he had to admit that the few items he had received from her were useful.

He shook the vial, causing the blood to swirl inside of it. As it moved, it gave off the faintest bit of light and he wrapped his fingers around the vial, closing his eyes. He thought about Insu, trying to envision the path he had taken through the forest.

Glowing footprints appeared before him as he opened his eyes, but he could immediately tell something was off. He could see the footprints, and he knew they were from Insu, but then the light from them flickered and went out, leaving him not much wiser than before.

"Must be a protection or something," Seungmin grumbled to himself, pocketing the vial again.

It hadn't helped much but at least he knew he was on the right track.

He continued to make his way through the forest, and he thought that maybe he was on the right path.

Night was approaching and he cursed. He didn't know where he was and Insu were way ahead of him by now. He had no way of contacting Hyunjin or Minho. He couldn't warn them.

All he could do was to push on and hope he wouldn't be too late.

It was a full moon tonight, providing him some light as he traveled. Not that he needed much light anyway, as he could see fairly well in the darkness. He was created to prowl in the dark. But the bit of light made him feel less alone.

He wasn't sure for how long he was walking. The moon moved in the sky, but it felt as if he was making no progress.

Was he walking in circles?

"For the love of all that is holy," he mumbled, rubbing his temples. The forest was toying with him, leading him astray and slowing him down. With a sigh, he sunk down with his back against a tree and he stared out into the darkness ahead of him. "Please," he whispered, almost as if he was begging. "I need to reach the witch's cabin. I'm trying to save a forest spirit."

There was a rustle as if the forest heard him. Then a pause.

Maybe this was actually working.

"I'm trying to save Hyunjin."

At the mention of Hyunjin, a stillness settled over the forest. It was odd and Seungmin wasn't sure how to explain it but it was as if the forest held its breath.

Then another rustle, but this time something stepped out of the darkness.

A creature stepped out of the bushes, pushing the shrubbery to the side. It was small in frame, resembling a child around the age of eight. They were wearing a long robe that reached to their knees with a hood pulled over their head, their form spectral. Their skin was a soft greenish gray, the eyes completely white and as they pulled their hood down, their white hair seeming to be floating around their head.