The Edge

The Forest

Once the sun had gone down and the village had long been asleep, I slowly crept through my little cottage. My father's snores echoed through the halls, signaling it was time to make my escape. Before I stepped out the door, I stood for a moment looking back at my home, knowing it could be the last time I ever laid eyes on my once joyful life.

"Goodbye," I whispered sorrowfully. I softly shut the door behind me, and a wave of reluctance rushed over me. Was I doing the right thing? Should I really risk my life to find him? I was torn between my home and the need to save his village and mine. The two sides battled in my head.

The key to keeping my village safe was Killian. The only way to utilize his knowledge was to find him and help him defeat the Wilteks. Then, my village could finally be free. As the next chief, it was my duty to risk my life for my people. The village was my top priority, regardless of my life. I knew what I had to do.

With the voices silenced, I made my way to the edge. I was on my way to a possible death sentence, but nothing was going to stop me—not even death itself.

"Maeli? What are you doing out here this late?" I had almost reached the forest when a voice called out to me. I twisted around to find Emmeric, one of my warriors, making his way over. I had forgotten about his nightly rounds.

"It's not your shift, is it?" I was caught off guard and had to quickly think of an excuse.

"Uh, well, my father sent me out here to investigate the area. We need more information about the man we found. Just looking for any hints about him." I forced a smile.

"Oh! Well, I can help with—"

"No! No. I can manage on my own. You have your rounds to do." He looked me up and down, searching with his eyes.

"Why are you in your battle gear?" he asked, tilting his head in suspicion. I froze in panic.

"Maeli, what are you really doing out here? I know you. You only wear your armor when we're training." I just stood there, unable to respond. My excuse was quickly disintegrating. I needed to come up with something—and fast.

"Heh, well, you caught me! I'm doing some extra training. Alone. I haven't felt like myself lately, so I've been coming out here to work on my skills and clear my head." My white lie seemed to have worked.

"It's your mother, huh? I'm sorry. I know it's hard to move on, but it wasn't your fault. Take all the time you need. If you'd like, I can spar with you. I'm just finishing up, and I could use a good beatdown to wear me out." I chuckled at his banter; he always knew how to make me laugh.

"Thank you, but no. I just want to be alone for now. Maybe next time."

"Alright. Well, if you ever need anything, if you ever just want to sit and talk, I'll always be a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on for you." He rested his hand on my head, messing up my hair, before walking past me.

"Hey, Emmeric? Let's keep this our little secret," I called to him. He looked over his shoulder and gave a small smile.

"Our little secret," he replied.

Once Emmeric was out of sight, I continued to my destination. After a few short minutes, I was at the edge, staring into the darkness. A shiver ran up my spine. I could hear the taunting whispers of the forest trying to lure me in. It was sickening. How could anyone live in a deathly place like that?

"Alright, Killian. I'm coming." I took a deep breath, shoved down whatever fear I had, and stepped into that forsaken, forbidden forest.

I walked for what seemed like hours, leaving markers every so often. All the horror stories I had heard now felt like fairytales. There was nothing—no being or monster in sight. The whispers had ceased, and a sort of peace fell over me. The fresh earth filled the air, and only the crackle of branches beneath my feet broke the silence.