The book had found them in the back of a school library, its cover seeming so unreal and captivating. Elara, Zack, and Alice had only meant to peek inside. Though now, trapped in a world of endless power and secrets, they were fighting to survive- a...
The farther they proceeded into the forest the darker clouds started getting, eventually causing rainfall. The pattering of raindrops was loud within the forest, filling the once silent landscape with endless echos. It was unclear the current time of day it was, the sun wasn't out nor the moon—
Just a gray blank sky.
Zack was still sitting in the front seat steering the horse, exhausted, soaked and annoyed. His short black and red hair draped over his face, making him look like a wet dog. He wasn't fond of the rain.
A scent of maple and pinecones, a familiar smell washed through the forest. Trees rustling and shaking within the wind, birds faintly chirping in the distance despite the rain masking their sounds almost entirely. The ground was thick with mud and hard to maneuver through, the horse struggling against the wind, rain and now sticky mud below.
"Wasn't expecting this harsh of a storm." Muttered Zack, trying to shield the wind and water with his arm.
Just up ahead, in the darkness of the forest a light could be seen in the distance that caught his attention, the longer he stared, the more drawn he was into it. Like a guiding light within the darkness of the night,
a light of hope.
Zack's eyes lingered on the little spec of light up ahead, studying it intensely. He gently tugged at the reins of the horse, slowing down the pace. His heart was telling him to follow, a sign of civilization was all he needed. He knew the rainforest district wouldn't be for awhile, maybe he had been mistaken?
He now yanked at the reins, the horse letting out a rough grumble before leading them in that direction, Zack still suspicious with his eyes peeled open for any signs of danger. A twig suddenly snapped and before Zack's eyes could dart over into the direction, the horse started picking up pace while letting out pained neighs.
He tried to stop the rapid animal by tugging but that wouldn't stop it, if anything it added fuel into its distress. They were now charging head first towards the light, crashing through the forest. The mud tangled into the wheels, splashing all over them.
"Calm down you little-" Zack grumbled, gritting his teeth in distress.
The wooden shaky wheels started picking up pace against the now stone ground, speeding toward the light as Zack lead the now rapid racing horse. Crashing through the branches while causing a mess. The cart was shaking like crazy now, the back rocking as well, Elara getting tossed around back letting out faint groans of pain. Zack was up front trying to control the horse, pulling on the reins tightly but it was no use, either way, they had already arrived at their destination—
A village?
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The village was silent until it wasn't. That silence shattered by the loud thunderous stomping of the horse's distressed neighs and heavy pants. Zack could barely contain the wild beast, doing his best to calm it down but that only did nothing. They skidded to a halt now in the middle of the village, sending faint dust particles and stones flying everywhere.
